What is the primary purpose of quarantine?

Quarantine serves the primary purpose of separating individuals who have been exposed to a communicable disease but are not yet showing symptoms. This practice is crucial because individuals can still be infectious during the incubation period of many diseases, meaning they can spread the disease to others without realizing they are ill themselves. By isolating these individuals, public health efforts aim to minimize the risk of transmission within the community.

This approach is essential in controlling outbreaks, as it allows for monitoring and limiting the potential spread of diseases. The strategy of quarantine is particularly relevant during outbreaks of infections like COVID-19 or other communicable diseases where asymptomatic spread is a concern. By effectively separating those exposed but not symptomatic, public health authorities can better manage and contain the spread of disease.