Is There a Case for Quarantine? Perspectives from SARS to Ebola

Abstract

Quarantine has been used for centuries in an effort to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases. While backed by legal authority, the public and even the health care worker community's understanding of the term is murky at best and scientific evidence to support the use of quarantine is frequently lacking.The multiple interpretations and references to quarantine, the inconsistent application of public health quarantine laws across jurisdictional boundaries, and reports of ineffectiveness, are further complicated by associated infringement of civil liberties and human rights abuses. Given the need to balance public safety with human rights, we must be more precise about its meaning and consider the efficacy and negative secondary effects resulting from the implementation of quarantine. This paper explains quarantine terminology and then uses a case study from Taiwan

The emotional impact of Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (new Coronavirus disease)

“…It is noteworthy that despite the common mental health problems and disorders found among patients and health workers in such settings, most health professionals working in isolation units and hospitals do not receive any training for providing mental health care . Barbisch et al (2015) describe how the confinement "caused a sense of collective hysteria, leading the staff to desperate measures." Fear seems more certainly a consequence of mass quarantine.…”

The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence

“…Separation from loved ones, the loss of freedom, uncertainty over disease status, and boredom can, on occasion, create dramatic effects. Suicide has been reported, 5 substantial anger generated, and lawsuits brought 6 following the imposition of quarantine in previous outbreaks. The potential benefits of mandatory mass quarantine need to be weighed carefully against the possible psychological costs.…”

The dynamics of travel avoidance: The case of Ebola in the U.S.

“…Some scientists and healthcare professionals contended that the travel ban or quarantine could translate into the misuse of needed medical supplies (Folayan & Brown, 2015). They also cited past failures of quarantines associated with the SARS illness (Barbisch, Koenig, & Shih, 2015) and the possible negative repercussions that travel bans may have had on the economies of struggling nations (Mackenzie, 2014).…”