The United States has urged European countries to impose travel restrictions on people arriving from Ebola-affected parts of Central Africa, citing concerns about the potential spread of the virus during the FIFA World Cup, according to officials and diplomatic sources.
Washington‘s appeal comes as health authorities race to contain an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that has affected parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.
The US administration earlier this month issued a formal diplomatic communication, known as a demarche, calling on European governments to adopt measures similar to those implemented by Washington, according to sources familiar with the matter.
A European Union diplomat based in Africa said member states had yet to respond to the request.
The United States has already introduced restrictions barring non-citizens who have been present in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days from entering the country. American citizens returning from those countries are required to undergo screening procedures at designated airports.
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US officials have defended the measures as necessary to prevent the virus from spreading internationally as millions of fans, athletes and tourists travel for the World Cup, which opens this week across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Other countries must do their part to ensure this outbreak does not spread further,” a US State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Action is required now. That includes financial contributions and implementing commonsense restrictions on travel from the affected area.”
The official said Washington was engaging governments around the world to coordinate efforts aimed at protecting citizens and reducing the risk of cross-border transmission during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
The State Department did not provide further details on the diplomatic outreach to European governments.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly stressed the need to prevent Ebola from reaching the United States, making the outbreak a key focus of the administration’s public health and diplomatic efforts.
According to the State Department, Rubio discussed the Ebola response on Tuesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“The Department’s highest priority and focus remain protecting the health of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said following the conversation.
The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, prompting heightened surveillance and containment measures in affected countries.
The Bundibugyo strain is one of several known variants of the Ebola virus. The disease causes severe haemorrhagic fever and can be fatal, although early detection, supportive treatment and public health interventions can significantly improve survival rates and limit transmission.
The Trump administration has sought to highlight its response to the crisis amid criticism from some health experts and aid organisations over earlier cuts to foreign assistance programmes.
The administration says it has delivered approximately 150 tonnes of medical supplies to affected countries and committed more than $200 million to support containment and treatment efforts, making the United States the largest single financial contributor to the Ebola response.
Critics, however, argue that the dismantling of parts of the US foreign aid infrastructure and reductions in overseas health funding may have weakened global preparedness ahead of the outbreak.
The Ebola emergency has also created uncertainty for some international travellers planning to attend World Cup matches.
Although there have been no reported Ebola cases linked to the tournament, public health officials are closely monitoring travel patterns and coordinating with border authorities as teams and supporters arrive in North America.
The World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to attract millions of visitors over the coming weeks, making disease surveillance and health security a major concern for authorities seeking to avoid disruptions during the tournament.
