Principles of Genetics and Breeding

15.1.5. What is quarantine?

“Quarantine” has been defined in many ways, ranging from the very broad definition of “quarantine measures” as encompassing all activities related to the prevention of the international and domestic spread of serious animal diseases (what is now usually referred to as “biosecurity”), or rearing of animals under conditions which prevent their escape or the escape of organisms and potential disease agents infecting or associated with them into the natural environment (Arthur, 1996).

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, “Quarantine means maintaining a group of aquatic animals in isolation with no direct or indirect contact with other aquatic animals, in order to undergo observation for a specified length of time and, if appropriate, testing and treatment, including proper treatment of the effluent waters.”

At the international level, the primary purpose of quarantine is to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens into the territory of the importing country and their transmission to susceptible species.