The United States, Canada and Mexico have announced joint measures for the football World Cup in response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The US government, on behalf of the three host nations, says coordinated measures are to be taken to protect public health in relation to travel from African regions with the highest risk of Ebola.
But no details have yet been provided.
"This coordinated approach aims to protect our citizens and the millions of visitors, fans, athletes, and tourists expected during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, while maintaining travel and commerce across our borders," the US statement says.
It remains unclear whether this will involve entry bans or quarantine measures. "The health and safety of every person in the region remains our highest priority as we welcome the world to North America," was all that was stated.
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda are currently affected by an outbreak of the dangerous Ebola virus.
The latest government figures say there are more than 1,000 suspected cases in Congo and around 250 deaths. In neighbouring Uganda to the east, the figures are significantly lower.
Ebola is a contagious and life-threatening infectious disease. The virus is transmitted through physical contact and contact with bodily fluids.
In 2014 and 2015, more than 11,000 people died during an Ebola epidemic in West Africa. During the second-worst outbreak, which lasted from 2018 to 2020 in the provinces of eastern Congo that are currently affected, around 2,300 people died.
The outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment, makes the situation particularly difficult.
