Mississippi River and Quarantine Research

The Mississippi River is the largest river in the US. It has been a vital point of entry for all forms of trades and goods with its ability to reach across the country. It aslo became a point of entry for potential infectious diseases. I the late 1800's disease was ramped. without our current luxury of vaccinations for just about everything, the people in that time just had to prevent any contact with it to insure safety. The Mississippi River played a huge role in keeping disease from entering the US. There was a series of check points and docking stations set up to inspect incoming vessels for any signs of sickness. If any was detected the vessel and the people were then sent to a Quarantine station. The passengers were held until they showed no more signs of sickness and the vessel and all its belongings went through a thorough disinfecting process.

Port Eads was an inspection station and if any sickness was detected the vessel would then be sent to the Lazaretto to be treated. This was an infectious disease station some distance from the main path. Once there were no more signs of sickness the passengers would then reboard the ship and it would proceed to the Quarantine Station where the vessel would undergo a thorough disinfection process. Once cleared it could continue on its journey up the river. Rigolets was another point of enrty for vessels traveling the Mississippi Sound and Lake Borgne into Lake Pontchartrain. There was also a Quarantine Station located in Morgan city Inspecting vessels approaching from the west bank.