Local Researchers Forecast Spread Of Ebola
BOSTON (CBS) -- Don't be surprised if there are a few more Ebola cases in the United States in the next couple months.
That's according to a Northeastern University researcher who's created a forecasting map to predict the spread of the deadly disease. He warns it's not an exact science, and says a vaccine could change everything.
"We have projections for one or two cases at the most during November, December," Alessandro Vespignani said.
He's leading a team of Northeastern researchers who use a computer mapping model to crunch census data with airport activity and countless other factors.
"We do not expect a large outbreak in the United States," he said.
He compares the Ebola outbreak to a forest fire that sometimes shoots off sparks far away. The only way to contain the fire, he says, is to stop it in its source, West Africa.
That becomes more difficult as doctors return home sick or worse. The death of aid worker Martin Salia has the Ebola medical community sounding alarms.
UMass Memorial Medical Center Dr. Steven Hatch recently returned from Liberia without any symptoms. He's staying away from patients while he self-monitors for a few weeks, just to be safe.
"We feel as if we are involved in a sacred mission to put this thing out," he said.
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