Epidemic?

I don't want to strike fear in anyone. MSNBC, CNN, and FoxNews are such experts at distributing desperation that I would not want to diminish their impact. I just have one question: What usually happens when we travel?

When I travel I usually get the sniffles--at a minimum and sometimes I get far sicker. As far as I understand this phenomenon, our immune systems build up antibodies to local environmental viruses and bacteria. When we are exposed to foreign strains of disease, we are ill-prepared to deal with those strains.

New Orleans is forcing every citizen to evacuate the city. As we have seen, the city is one of the poorest cities in the nation. Obviously, survival and not healthcare has been a priority among many of the citizens. So, when half of a million people are distributed across the United States, they seem to be simultaneously planting their disease all across the country and invading territories of foreign disease with poor defenses. Could this be a recipe for a far greater disaster?

As stated, I am not a doctor or scientist, so maybe someone more equipped could better address this issue.