As fans from around the globe begin arriving in North America for the largest-ever World Cup, an outbreak of the Ebola virus in East Africa has put health officials in the host nations on high alert.

The rare Bundibugyo strain was first declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15, infecting at least 488 people and causing 86 deaths. The disease has spread to neighboring Uganda, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a “public health emergency of international concern.”

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned the outbreak could become the largest Ebola epidemic on record, surpassing the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak. Uganda has confirmed 19 cases and two deaths, closing its western border with the DRC.

The host nations—the US, Canada, and Mexico—announced “aligned public health travel measures” for travelers from high-risk African regions. The US has banned noncitizens who visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. Canada imposed a 90-day entry ban for residents of those countries, while Mexico tightened airport screening and urged 21-day quarantine.

The DRC national team, qualifying for their first World Cup since 1974, canceled a planned training camp at home and is based in Belgium. They must isolate for 21 days before entering the US. A planned friendly match against Chile in Spain was canceled due to Ebola fears.

Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) are monitoring the tournament for potential outbreaks. NSPS conducted a tabletop exercise simulating a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak during the World Cup.

Health experts downplay risks to fans, noting Ebola is not airborne and requires direct contact with symptomatic individuals. Basic precautions like hand hygiene are advised.

Source: www.aljazeera.com