National Center For Infectious Diseases
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine
(formerly the Division of Quarantine)

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Legal Authorities for Control of Communicable Diseases

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has statutory responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases in the United States. Under its delegated authority, the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, works to fulfill this responsibility through a variety of activities, including the operation of Quarantine Stations at ports of entry, establishment of standards for medical examination of persons destined for the United States, and administration of interstate and foreign quarantine regulations, which govern the international and interstate movement of persons, animals, and cargo. The legal foundation for these activities is found in Titles 8 and 42 of the US Code and relevant supporting regulations.

United States Federal Laws
	United States Code
· Control of Communicable Diseases (42 USC 264-272)   · Medical Examination of Aliens (42 USC 252)   · Aliens with Diseases of Public Health Significance (8 USC 1182)   · Detention of aliens for physical and mental examination (8 USC 1222)
	Code of Federal Regulations
· Interstate Quarantine (42 CFR 70)   · Foreign Quarantine (42 CFR 71) · Medical Examination of Aliens (42 CFR 34)
	Executive Order
· Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases (EO13295)
	Interim Final Rule
· Restrictions on African Rodents and Prairie Dogs (42 CFR 71.56)
	Orders Issued by CDC
· Notice of Embargo of Civets (January 13, 2004)   · Notice of embargo of birds (Class: Aves) from specified Southeast Asian countries (February 4, 2004)   · Order lifting the ban of bird and bird products from specified Southeast Asian countries (March 10, 2004)
International Agreements
· International Health Regulations
Additional Information about Legal Authorities
· Fact Sheet: Isolation and Quarantine (Updated September 9, 2004)   · Fact Sheet: Legal Authorities for Isolation/Quarantine (Updated September 9, 2004)   · Questions and Answers: Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine (Updated September 9, 2004)   · Question and Answers on the Embargo of Civets (January 20, 2004)   · Interim Questions and Answers on Interim Final Rule Prohibiting Importation of African Rodents (November 4, 2003)   · Questions and Answers on the Embargo of Birds from Specified Southeast Asian Countries (February 4, 2004)
Additional Public Health Law Resources
· CDC Public Health Law Program   · Legal Basis of Public Health Training Modules   · Center for Law and the Public's Health   · Model State Emergency Health Powers Act

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This page last reviewed September 10, 2004

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