[exDemMom]

There are a few reasons I do not think we will see Ebola coming over the southern border.

Keep in mind that the average incubation period of Ebola is 7 or 8 days, with the limits being 3 and 21 days.

I have seen a few stories that suggest that it is very difficult to fly in or out of the affected countries right now: Fear spreads, borders close as Ebola restricts travel in West Africa, Travel restricted within Ebola-affected West African countries

It is conceivable that illegal immigrants would try to stow aboard a cargo ship, but I think that those are being scrutinized, as well. Malta rejects ship with suspected Ebola case. I think it takes several days for a cargo ship to cross the ocean, so anyone infected with Ebola would probably start showing symptoms before the ship arrived.

Illegal immigration is not going to bring Ebola into this country, IMO. If an Ebola victim arrives, it will be via air travel.

EarlyBird, you should appreciate this. Yesterday, I was supposed to attend a VTC. I went to the VTC room with another PhD scientist and a Masters level colleague. We stared at the black VTC screen, looked at each other, asked each other what was wrong (Did we get the room wrong? What about the time?). Finally, the woman with a Masters called for IT support. The IT guy came and determined that the equipment had been turned off...

[Smokin' Joe]

While air travel is a distinct possibility, please remember that illegal immigrants come from all over the globe, and that infection need not occur at the point of origin.

Without playing parsing games, this would be an act of terrorism, not an accidental infection.

In that case, the southern border is a superhighway of invasion.

The ones coming in the airport will have their papers, and likely be either students, government officials, missionaries, or expatriate/visiting workers and will probably not know they are infected..

[PapaBear3625]

I have seen a few stories that suggest that it is very difficult to fly in or out of the affected countries right now: Fear spreads, borders close as Ebola restricts travel in West Africa, Travel restricted within Ebola-affected West African countries

Yes, travel is officially restricted. But this is West Africa, notorious for the corruption of its public employees. Slip some cash to the border guards, and you can cross. I doubt it would even take a lot of cash.

[Oorang]

Search any travel website (kayak, expedia) and you will see flights for this week and over the next few weeks from Lagos, Nigeria to the US. United airlines: Lagos direct to Houston. Delta airlines: Lagos direct to Atlanta.