Origin: The word quarantine comes from the Italian phrase “quaranta giorni” = “40 days”.
Historical Context:
In 14th-century Venice, ships arriving from plague-affected areas were required to anchor for 40 days before landing.
This practice evolved into a public health strategy that shaped the foundations of infection control.
Still Relevant Today:
COVID-19, Ebola, SARS—all modern pandemics used quarantine to limit spread.
WHO recognizes quarantine as a core tool of International Health Regulations (IHR).
Cross-Disciplinary Insight:
Quarantine is not just medical—it blends history, law, global health, and anthropology.
What other ancient public health practices do you think we still use today?