The potential spread of Ebola into Central and Southern America is a real possibility

[Karmadillo]

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123359

Kelly: Southcom Keeps Watch on Ebola Situation

By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2014 – The potential spread of Ebola into Central and Southern America is a real possibility, the commander of U.S. Southern Command told an audience at the National Defense University here yesterday.

“By the end of the year, there’s supposed to be 1.4 million people infected with Ebola and 62 percent of them dying, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention],” Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly said. “That’s horrific. And there is no way we can keep Ebola [contained] in West Africa.”

If it comes to the Western Hemisphere, many countries have little ability to deal with an outbreak of the disease, the general said.

“So, much like West Africa, it will rage for a period of time,” Kelly said.

This is a particularly possible scenario if the disease gets to Haiti or Central America, he said. If the disease gets to countries like Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, it will cause a panic and people will flee the region, the general said.

“If it breaks out, it’s literally, ‘Katie bar the door,’ and there will be mass migration into the United States,” Kelly said. “They will run away from Ebola, or if they suspect they are infected, they will try to get to the United States for treatment.”

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[AverageJoe90]

1. I'm sorry, but this is actually so terribly unlikely.....

that any one of us is more likely to die in an auto accident this year, than this scenario actually happening; none of the central American countries are particularly attractive to immigrants from anywhere, let alone West Africa, and neither is Haiti for that matter.

[HereSince1628]

3. Just a minor thing...a person wouldn't have to be an immigrant.

A person could be a crew member on a ship or airplane who began travel while not showing a fever.

African imports make up about 3 per cent of Brazilian international trade.

[Karmadillo]

6. "significant number of West Africans who have been arriving in Costa Rica"

http://insidecostarica.com/2014/10/13/costa-rica-alert-ebola-top-u-s-general-fears-mass-migration-centam-case-outbreak/

<edit>

Both Costa Rican and U.S. authorities believe an Ebola outbreak is a real threat, particularly due to the significant number of West Africans who have been arriving in Costa Rica – usually undocumented – en route to the United States via human trafficking networks.

Kelly said that while in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, one of his staffers at the U.S. embassy recounted a case he witnessed firsthand of West Africans traveling freely through Costa Rica en route to the United States.

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[madville]

7. Doesn't have to be African immigrants

I'm sure many Central and South American natives travel all over the world for work and charity reasons. Oil and gas workers in and off the coast of Africa, religious charity members, cruise ship workers, airline crews.

[kestrel91316]

10. You're so right. And nobody EVER travels from the US down to Mexico and

then back again, especially anybody poor, disadvantaged, and getting by without medical care here. And if they did, they definitely wouldn't have any contact with any OTHER poor, disadvantaged, doctor-less types down there.

NO WAY could Ebola ever get south of the border. Hell, we don't even HAVE flights down there.

[Rex]

11. With the proximity to Texas, I wouldn't be slapping my forehead.

That is if this spreads in Texas. Ebola is in Texas now, didn't you know?

[AverageJoe90]

12. I know darn well, thanks.

Hell, I live right next to Dallas.

All I'm saying is that this scenario is rather unlikely. I'd also like to point out that FOX News, of all organizations, has been pumping out this same thing to get people scared and blame Obama for everything.....and because of this, that alone should make one ask questions.

[Rex]

13. Foxnews will always talk bad about the POTUS, no matter what is going on.

To be fixated on what Foxnews likes or dislikes is a peculiar habit imo.

[AverageJoe90]

14. Fixation, nuttin', amigo, just the cold hard facts. nt

[Rex]

15. I would never worry about if republicans approve or disprove of the POTUS, a wasted effort.

They will ALWAYS be negative. Waiting for them to behave any different is almost the definition of insanity.

[MFM008]

2. there was a time

when having active infected patients with Ebola in the United States was unthinkable as well.

[Zenlitened]

4. By way of Texas, apparently. - n/t

[madville]

5. I would consider somewhere like India as well

Really anywhere with dense population centers, but the poorer ones especially.

They are probably more at risk in Central or South American from one of their own citizens bringing something back rather than an African immigrant or visitor.

Those countries down there probably have Catholic charity workers that travel to Africa or definitely oil and gas workers for instance.

[morningfog]

8. And in Asia too. This is the real concern.

[Stallion]

9. Whereever there is Inadequate Medical Facilities and Government Oversight

disease knows no border or race