§ 1158. Quarantine zone

(a) The Secretary may establish a quarantine zone whenever it is determined that a contagious disease is widely spread throughout an area of the State and that a quarantine zone is necessary to contain or prevent the further spread of the disease.

(b) In establishing a quarantine zone, the Secretary may, by order:

(1) regulate, restrict, or restrain movements of animals, animal products, or vehicles and equipment associated with animals or animal products into, out of, or within the zone;

(2) detain all animals within the zone that might be infected with or have been exposed to the disease for examination at any place specified by the quarantine order; and

(3) take other necessary steps to prevent the spread of and eliminate the disease within the quarantine zone.

(c) The Secretary shall notify the public of the existence, location, and terms of a quarantine zone, in a manner deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The Secretary may also notify by certified mail or in person the owner or person in possession of any animal or animals that must be detained or otherwise regulated within the zone.

(d) It shall be unlawful to violate the terms of a quarantine zone order issued pursuant to this section. Any person who knowingly violates a quarantine zone 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 zone order and causes the spread of a contagious disease beyond the quarantine zone 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. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2017, No. 30, § 3.)