So, yes, while it is theoretically possible, it is extremely unlikely and really not worth discussing because no good can come from it.
Even if they strongly suspected it will become airborne (based on something other than theory), do you think they'd just announce it to the public like "oh, hey, btw..."? Can you imagine the hysteria that would cause? Not "a bit" like another poster suggested. The effect of the hysteria could very well be worse than what the virus might cause on its own. It's really impossible to know, that is why we take measures to prevent getting worked into a highly irrational hysteria. These measures would include things like listening to qualified individuals and not ignoring the rational points they are trying to make to you.
Oh, I donno, maybe panicked and unneeded responses to that hypothetical scenario when sober but aggressive responses to the present very real and already deadly situation are sorely need?
Just what comes to mind...
It seems that virologists are answering the wrong question and getting caught up on semantics, perhaps to prevent more hand wringing and panic.
Edit: removed statements about Reston, as they seem to have been remembered incorrectly from Hot Zone, the book about the primate-only Ebola outbreak in Virginia in the 90s.
Anyway, I'm just arguing the points I've heard made by ACTUAL VIROLOGISTS. Read: PhDs who have been studying this exact behavior in viruses for many years. They've all said the same thing: theoretically possible, extremely unlikely.
To be fair tho, influenza is airborne, but you're not going to contract it by going outside and breathing, unless you're being breathed on by someone with the flu, or shaking their hand.
My point is that being breathed on, or even in close proximity to someone with Ebola is likely to result in you contracting the disease without actually touching them, as it is with influenza.
So, does it matter if the virus isn't 'airborne' in the strict medical sense if it is just as contractable as one that is from things like coughing?
It's a question, and not a rhetorical one.
Basically it could and would spread much faster and further if it were truly airborne. Also pretty much makes it impossible to contain because we can't just quarantine the earth's atmosphere.