Library & Innovation Centre

A discussion on the diseases that affect crops and the impact on food security.

Quarantine, the separation and restriction of travel of humans or other animals that may have come into contact with an infectious disease. Individuals remain under quarantine until it is deemed certain that they are free of infection.

The practice of quarantine—the separation of the diseased from the healthy—has been around a long time. As early as the writing of the Old Testament, for instance, rules existed for isolating lepers. It wasn't until the Black Death of the 14th century, however, that Venice established the first formal system of quarantine, requiring ships to lay at anchor for 40 days before landing. ("Quarantine" comes from the Latin for forty.)

There are biosecurity or quarantine zones located within each of the states and territories of Australia. The article outlines the restrictions placed on particular products within Australia.

The Australia’s notifiable diseases status, 2010 report provides data and an analysis of communicable disease incidence in Australia during 2010.

Keeping unwanted pests and diseases out of the country while facilitating the international flow of goods and people wherever possible is the primary role of quarantine in Australia.

Quarantine is essential to the maintenance of Australia's highly favourable human, animal and plant health status and is an important element in the regulatory framework that governs trade within and between nations.

The wide-ranging project addresses early detection of declared pests and diseases, preparedness to respond to incursions of significant pests and diseases, awareness and compliance with new legislation, community engagement and the adoption of new technology.