(NaturalNews) It's no longer a matter of if but of when Ebola will begin to spiral out of control in the U.S., says a top infectious disease specialist and former chief scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Jesse L. Goodman, now a professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, says people should remain calm amidst this ongoing crisis but still be prepared for the worst which is yet to come.

Dr. Goodman's chilling statements come after the first U.S. case of Ebola was identified at a major Texas airport. A Liberian national by the name of Thomas Eric Duncan reportedly fell ill just days after traveling from Liberia to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the U.S. He was turned away from Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, despite exhibiting symptoms of fever and abdominal pain, and even after telling hospital staff that he had traveled from Liberia, the epicenter of the current Ebola outbreak.

Since Duncan was in close contact with many other people during his travels through Brussels, Belgium and Washington D.C., and now with his family and friends in Dallas, it is almost certain that he spread the disease to others, say experts. Dr. Goodman is one of those who believes that the cat is already out of the bag -- Ebola is now here in the U.S., and things will likely get much worse before they get better.

"It is quite appropriate to be concerned on many fronts," he said in a recent statement, as quoted by the Washington Examiner. "First, it is a tragedy for the patient and family and, as well, a stress to contacts, health care workers and the community at large. Second, it appears several people were exposed before the individual was placed in isolation, and it is quite possible that one or more of his contacts will be infected."

Health officials now monitoring 100 people suspected of possibly being infected

Around 100 people in the Dallas metro area are currently being monitored for potential infection as health officials investigate who might have come into contact with Duncan, including the other passengers on his flights. A spokeswoman with the Texas Department of State Health Services told CNN that investigators are starting broad and narrowing from there.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we're starting with this very wide net, including people who have had even brief encounters with the patient or the patient's home," stated Carrie Williams. "The number will drop as we focus in on those whose contact may represent a potential risk of infection."

Part of this monitoring includes sending public health workers to visit potential cases and take their temperatures twice a day. The potential cases will also be asked to disclose whether they are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with Ebola, which include abdominal pain, headaches, sore throat and loss of appetite.

"It is critical for hospitals and health care workers everywhere to be sure they are alert, obtain travel histories and, if there is any question at all it could be Ebola, contact CDC and, while sorting things out, act to isolate a sick patient returning from an epidemic area," added Dr. Goodman, pushing for increased travel restrictions to help contain the outbreak.

"If less people traveled, risks may be reduced, and active follow-up and education of travelers could also be facilitated."

To learn more about how to prepare for a potential Ebola crisis here in the U.S., be sure to check out the Natural News BioDefense.com

Sources:

http://washingtonexaminer.com

http://washingtonexaminer.com

http://www.cnn.com

http://science.naturalnews.com