Why would anyone panic over a very ill person

[MineralMan]

76. Ebola is actually pretty well understood, in terms of communicability.

It's been studied for quite a long time and its epidemiology is well-known. Its method of transmission is known and, since it is not a respiratory illness, it's extremely unlikely to become an airborne threat. The confidence level of that is extremely high, because it is not a respiratory virus by nature. There doesn't seem to be a path for it to alter to one, either. It's a blood virus.

Incubating patients traveling are a definite risk, and we may see a few isolated cases in the U.S. in the next couple of months, but the warning is out there and Emergency Rooms are on the lookout for cases. Everyone who presents with any of Ebola's symptoms are going to be questioned about their recent travel. In fact, I think that question should be asked of every ER patient. But, it's going to be asked of everyone who comes in with fever, belly aches, and any of the other symptoms.

Isolation and tracking of contacts will be done. All of that is being coordinated by the CDC, which has already issued bulletins throughout the country. Any cases that pop up will be very likely to be identified quickly, because it's such a severe illness. Contacts will be followed up if cases occur and any outbreak will be contained quickly.

If it were a respiratory illness and was spread by airborne processes, it would be much more worrisome. In West Africa, it spreads more readily, due to limited medical facilities and living conditions. That's not the case here or in other developed countries. The entire medical community is aware of Ebola right now, and there will be more false positives than cases, by far, out of an abundance of caution.