The United States has called on countries around the world to intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, including the introduction of stricter travel restrictions to prevent further spread of the disease.
A US State Department official made the appeal on Tuesday, stressing that global cooperation is essential to stop the outbreak from expanding beyond the affected region.
“The United States has stepped up. Now the world must do more to step up as well,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The official urged governments to provide additional funding for outbreak response efforts and adopt what were described as “commonsense restrictions on travel from the affected area.”
The Ebola outbreak was first identified last month in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since then, cases have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, raising concerns among international health authorities.
The call for greater action comes as the United States prepares to host large numbers of international visitors for the FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted with Mexico and Canada.
President Donald Trump’s administration has pledged to take all necessary measures to prevent the virus from entering the United States. As part of those efforts, Washington has announced plans to establish an Ebola treatment centre in Kenya for American citizens.
However, the proposal has sparked controversy in Kenya. Protesters have opposed the initiative, expressing concerns about the potential risks associated with hosting an Ebola treatment facility. Clashes with police during demonstrations reportedly left at least one person dead on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Trump administration has encouraged European countries to strengthen their travel restrictions related to the outbreak.
The State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding coordinated efforts to address the health emergency.
According to the department, the conversation focused on cooperation between the United States and Europe in responding to the Ebola outbreak and limiting its international impact.
“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 Thomas Piggott said.
As part of its response, the United States has imposed entry restrictions on non-American citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
The measures are not expected to affect the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national football team participating in the World Cup. The team has reportedly been training in Europe for several weeks and therefore falls outside the scope of the travel ban.
However, public concerns over the outbreak have already had an impact on sporting activities. The Congolese team’s warm-up match against Chile on Tuesday was moved from Spain to France following concerns related to the virus.
Health experts continue to monitor the outbreak closely as governments seek to balance public health protection with international travel and major global events.
