World Cup hosts announce Ebola-related travel restrictions

WASHINGTON - 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 U.S. government announced on Friday, on behalf of the three host nations, that coordinated measures are to be taken to protect public health in relation to travel from African regions with the highest risk of Ebola.

"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 statement said.

In the U.S., a 30-day travel ban will initially apply to foreign travelers who have been in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan within the past 21 days, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

In Mexico, airlines such as Aeroméxico and Viva announced similar travel restrictions. According to a regulation issued by the Mexican authorities, these restrictions will remain in place in Mexico for 60 days, until after the World Cup concludes.

The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda are currently affected by an outbreak of the dangerous Ebola virus.

According to the latest government figures, there are more than 1,000 suspected cases in Congo and around 250 deaths. In neighboring 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.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 6:09 PM.