§ 1157. Quarantine

(a) The Secretary may order any domestic animals; the premises upon which they are or have been located; any animal products derived from those domestic animals; and any equipment, materials, or products to which they have been exposed to be placed in quarantine if the animals:

(1) are affected with a contagious disease;

(2) have been exposed to a contagious disease;

(3) may be infected with or have been exposed to a contagious disease;

(4) are suspected of having biological or chemical residues, including antibiotics, in their tissues that would cause the carcasses of the animals, if slaughtered, to be adulterated within the meaning of chapter 204 of this title;

(5) are suspected of having been exposed to biological or chemical agents that may cause the animal’s milk, processed dairy product, or other product to be adulterated or otherwise unsafe for human consumption or use; or

(6) are owned or controlled by a person who has violated any provision of this part, and the Secretary finds that a quarantine is necessary to protect the public welfare.

(b) Once a quarantine has been ordered, no animal under quarantine shall be removed from the premises where it is located. The Secretary may limit or prevent other animals from being brought onto the same premises as the quarantined animal.

(c) A verbal quarantine order shall be effective immediately. Written notice of quarantine shall be delivered by certified mail, registered mail, or in person to the owner of the animals or to the person in possession of the animals, or if the owner or person in possession is unknown, by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area. The notice shall include:

(1) a description of the subject of the quarantine;

(2) an explanation of why the quarantine is necessary;

(3) the duration of the quarantine or what condition must be met to lift the quarantine, including conditions for the repopulation of the premises and disinfection of equipment, materials, and products;

(4) the terms of the quarantine;

(5) the name and address of the person to be contacted for further information; and

(6) a statement that the person may request a hearing on the quarantine order.

(d) The Secretary may use placards or any other method deemed necessary to give notice or warning to the general public of the quarantine.

(e) Within 15 days of receiving notice, a person subject to a quarantine order may request a hearing to be held by the Secretary. The hearing shall be held within 60 days from the date of the request unless the Secretary has determined that a longer period is necessary because of the extent of the outbreak of disease, in which case the hearing shall be held as soon as practicable. A request for a hearing shall not stay the quarantine order.

(f) It shall be unlawful to violate the terms of a quarantine order issued pursuant to this section. Any person who knowingly violates a quarantine order shall be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Any person who knowingly violates a quarantine order and causes the spread of a contagious disease beyond the quarantined premises shall be subject to a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. (Added 1987, No. 276 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 37, § 3; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2017, No. 30, § 3; 2023, No. 42, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.)