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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 Orders
Executive Orders specify the list of diseases for which federal quarantine is authorized, which is required by the Public Health Service Act. On recommendation of the HHS Secretary, the President may amend this list whenever necessary to add new communicable diseases, including emerging diseases that are a threat to public health.
- Amendment to Executive Order 13295: Quarantinable Communicable Diseases (Released April 4, 2005)
Interim Final Rule
Orders Issued by CDC
- Notice of Embargo of Civets (January 13, 2004)
- Notice of embargo of birds from specified countries
International Agreements
Information about Animal Importation
- Questions and Answers on the Embargo of Birds from Specified Southeast Asian Countries (September 28, 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)
Additional Public Health Law Resources
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