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Source: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-outbreaks-history-of-clashes-20141027-story.html
Disease outbreaks in U.S. have history of government infighting
By Noam N. Levey contact the reporter
October 27, 2014
Government clashes over disease outbreaks have a long history in the U.S.
The tussle between state and federal authorities over whether to quarantine travelers coming to the U.S. from the West African countries at the center of the Ebola outbreak fits a familiar pattern.
Indeed, clashes between federal and local governments over epidemics are a common feature of American history, according to epidemiologists.
So too is debate over the proper use of the government?s policing powers to quarantine the sick and those at risk of infection.
?One of the key ingredients of an epidemic in this country is this internecine fighting,? said Dr. Howard Markel, a historical epidemiologist at the University of Michigan.
Confronting disease outbreaks has historically been a local responsibility, as state and local governments have had authority over public health.
But in the late 19th century, Congress passed legislation to expand federal authority to impose quarantines amid public concern that local authorities were not acting forcefully enough to confront an outbreak of cholera.
lRelated CDC recommends looser Ebola monitoring than state quarantines for health workers
Less common are efforts by the federal government to restrain local health authorities, as the Obama administration is trying to do by urging governors not to impose strict quarantines on health workers and others coming to the U.S. from West Africa.
?This is very unusual,? Markel said...
Disease outbreaks in U.S. have history of government infighting
By Noam N. Levey contact the reporter
October 27, 2014
Government clashes over disease outbreaks have a long history in the U.S.
The tussle between state and federal authorities over whether to quarantine travelers coming to the U.S. from the West African countries at the center of the Ebola outbreak fits a familiar pattern.
Indeed, clashes between federal and local governments over epidemics are a common feature of American history, according to epidemiologists.
So too is debate over the proper use of the government?s policing powers to quarantine the sick and those at risk of infection.
?One of the key ingredients of an epidemic in this country is this internecine fighting,? said Dr. Howard Markel, a historical epidemiologist at the University of Michigan.
Confronting disease outbreaks has historically been a local responsibility, as state and local governments have had authority over public health.
But in the late 19th century, Congress passed legislation to expand federal authority to impose quarantines amid public concern that local authorities were not acting forcefully enough to confront an outbreak of cholera.
lRelated CDC recommends looser Ebola monitoring than state quarantines for health workers
Less common are efforts by the federal government to restrain local health authorities, as the Obama administration is trying to do by urging governors not to impose strict quarantines on health workers and others coming to the U.S. from West Africa.
?This is very unusual,? Markel said...