Federal officials are rolling out new travel restrictions aimed at keeping the Ebola virus out of the United States, funneling travelers from Ebola-affected regions through certain airports, like the Atlanta International Airport. Why? Because the World Health Organization is sounding the alarm that the situation will worsen in Africa before it gets better. The death toll is climbing, and numbers keep ticking upward. Despite our collective 2014 déjà vu moment, concerns persist about managing this overseas crisis from American soil.

Experts assure us that the new measures significantly reduce the chance of an Ebola case sneaking its way into the country, yet they acknowledge the need for vigilance. It’s a mystery how a virus that’s quite selective in how it spreads can nonetheless dominate headlines with its mere existence. Ebola is not exactly planning to take tours of major U.S. cities anytime soon, given its rather demanding travel requirements — exposure to blood and body fluids, for starters.

There’s no secret or surprise that global health officials have their work cut out for them in the DRC. They report over 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths. Currently, no specific treatments exist for the particular Ebola strain causing this outbreak, known as the Bundibugyo species. However, whispers of promising experimental treatments echo through the hallowed halls of international medical labs. In the end, Americans can rest easy knowing scientists are on the case, with trials and vaccines in the pipeline.

Conspiracy theorists can simmer down, as experts assure us the chances of Ebola hitching an international flight undetected are slim to none. Travelers from the outbreak zone are being greeted, screened, and, if necessary, quarantined by CDC personnel right when they touch down. Even if our friend Ebola does manage to slip through, it doesn’t stand much of a chance without symptoms and close contact. This virus isn’t the type found easily mingling in crowds at the nearest sports event.

For now, Americans can tuck away their hazmat suits. The most effective buffer against Ebola is addressing the outbreak where it started — in the DRC. And that’s precisely where the focus remains. As the situation develops across the ocean, remember, while it’s critical to stay informed, sometimes a measured response and a good dose of common sense are the best medicines of all.