Louisiana § RS 40:18 - Communicable disease; isolation and report to state health officer; quarantine
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:18 — Communicable disease; isolation and report to state health officer; quarantine, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 40:18. Communicable disease; isolation and report to state health officer; quarantine
A. If any case where a communicable disease is reported to or comes to the knowledge of any local health officer, the local health officer shall immediately isolate it and communicate the fact as expeditiously as practicable to the state health officer, together with the information as to what steps have been taken to isolate and care for the case. The local health officer shall, from time to time, communicate the progress of the case to the state health officer.
B. Upon receipt of notice of the case by the state health officer, or at any time during the case thereafter, the state health officer shall, if he thinks the emergency sufficient, send an expert physician, selected by him, to examine and diagnose the disease. If, after this examination and diagnosis, the expert declares the case to be one of an obnoxious or communicable nature, liable to spread or to become dangerous to the general public health of the state, the state health officer shall instruct the local health officer as to what additional steps, if any, should be taken to isolate the case and prevent the spread of the infection any further. The state health officer shall require that the local health officer immediately conform to and put these instructions in operation. If the local health officer or other local authorities connected with the case fail to act immediately on these instructions or fail to act in the case in a manner satisfactory to the state health officer, the state health officer shall take charge of the case and manage it through his own officers or employees.
Acts 1976, No. 346, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §4.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 40:18
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:18 cover?
Section RS 40:18 ("Communicable disease; isolation and report to state health officer; quarantine") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 40:18?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 40:18" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 40:18 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.