The United States(US) has intensified its campaign to prevent the spread of Ebola ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging governments around the world to strengthen travel restrictions and public health measures as cases continue to rise in Central Africa.
The call comes as the tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, prepares to welcome millions of visitors, prompting heightened concerns over cross-border transmission of the virus.
A senior US State Department official said Washington has already implemented extensive measures to protect Americans and is now pushing other countries to take similar steps.
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“The United States has stepped up. Now the world must do more to step up as well,” the official said, urging governments to increase funding for outbreak response efforts and adopt what the administration described as “commonsense restrictions” on travel from affected areas.
The current outbreak was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo before spreading into neighbouring Uganda. Health authorities have identified the outbreak as the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
According to international health agencies, hundreds of confirmed cases and dozens of deaths have already been recorded, raising fears that the outbreak could worsen if not rapidly contained.
Washington has imposed entry restrictions on non-US citizens who have recently travelled through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan. Additional airport screening measures have also been introduced for travellers arriving from affected regions.
The Trump administration has also reportedly pressed European governments to strengthen their own travel controls, arguing that Europe represents a major transit route into the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday as both sides explored coordination efforts aimed at containing the outbreak.
The administration’s response has generated controversy in East Africa. Plans to establish a US-backed Ebola observation facility in Kenya have triggered protests, with demonstrators expressing concerns about the potential relocation of exposed individuals into the country.
The outbreak is already affecting international sporting events. Although the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national team is not expected to face restrictions after training in Europe for several weeks, public concerns over the virus prompted officials to move one of its warm-up matches from Spain to France.
Health experts say the coming weeks will be crucial as authorities race to contain the outbreak and prevent wider international transmission.
The World Health Organization and Africa CDC have launched a major emergency response plan worth more than $500 million to support containment efforts and strengthen preparedness across the region.
With global travel expected to surge during the World Cup, governments are facing growing pressure to balance public health protection with the smooth movement of athletes, supporters and international visitors.
