South Atlantic Quarantine Station

Quarantine stations have been in use in the U.S. since 1799, when a center was built for yellow fever containment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The National Quarantine Act was instituted in 1878, resulting in other centers on the U.S.[1] The Southern Atlantic Quarantine Station was created in 1880.[citation needed]

History

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The Southern Atlantic Quarantine Station (SAQS) was created on Blackbeard Island by the US Navy, and operated between 1880 and 1910.[2] Its purpose was to monitor shipping to several cities, the largest of which was Savannah Georgia.[3] The main purpose was to prevent yellow fever, a mosquito-borne illness imported from tropical sources. 13 buildings were employed in the goal of disinfecting ships before proceeding to the mainland.[4] The main disinfectant used was sulfur dioxide.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Quarantine Stations | Quarantine | CDC". 17 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge". www.fws.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04.
  3. ^ "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blackbeard Island". www.georgiaencyclopedia.org. Archived from the original on 2004-12-23.
  4. ^ "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blackbeard Island". www.georgiaencyclopedia.org. Archived from the original on 2004-12-23.
  5. ^ "Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge". www.fws.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04.