"I know there's a lot of reason to be concerned. It is a serious problem, but in my lifetime, when we have been frightened by this so-called coming epidemic — most of it has never materialized," the veteran lawmaker and former physician said in an interview with conservative Newsmax TV Wednesday.

"Common sense should be able to handle this because they know what the virus is, they know how it is spread," he added. "I think sometimes overreaction can become very dangerous as well."

Paul acknowledged, however, that "this one may turn out to be a lot more serious." His comments came as health officials dare dealing with the first confirmed case of Ebola in the U.S.