Escaping Epidemics Through Migration? Quarantine Measures Under Asymmetric Information About Infection Risk

22 Pages Posted: 5 Jun 2008

See all articles by Alice Mesnard

Alice Mesnard

University of Toulouse 1 - Advanced Research in Quantitative Applied Development Economics (ARQADE); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Paul Seabright

University of Toulouse I - Industrial Economic Institute (IDEI); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Date Written: January 2008

Abstract

This paper explores implications of the fact that individuals know more than the authorities about their risk of infection and can take migration decisions before their health status is publicly observable. In a 2-period model we study under which conditions the presence of quarantine measures may lead to inefficient outcomes as individuals' interest in migration to escape centres of disease may become stronger and generate negative externalities imposed on other uninfected individuals.

Keywords: Epidemic diseases, migration, public policy, quarantine

JEL Classification: I18, O15, O19, R23

Suggested Citation

Mesnard, Alice and Seabright, Paul, Escaping Epidemics Through Migration? Quarantine Measures Under Asymmetric Information About Infection Risk (January 2008). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP6653, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1140582

Alice Mesnard (Contact Author)

University of Toulouse 1 - Advanced Research in Quantitative Applied Development Economics (ARQADE) ( email )

21 Allee de Brienne
Toulouse, 31000
France
+33 5 6112 8529 (Phone)
+33 5 6112 8538 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Paul Seabright

University of Toulouse I - Industrial Economic Institute (IDEI) ( email )

Manufacture des Tabacs
21 Allee de Brienne bat. F
Toulouse Cedex, F-31000
France
+33 5 61 12 86 17 (Phone)
+33 5 61 12 86 37 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

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