US Hospitals on Alert as World Cup Draws Millions Amid Low Ebola Risk

Health experts say the risk of an Ebola-infected traveler arriving in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup is low, but authorities and hospitals remain prepared to respond if a case emerges during the global tournament.

The World Cup, which began last week, is expected to attract around 6.5 million fans across the United States, Canada and Mexico over 39 days and 104 matches. Public health officials have spent months preparing for a range of infectious disease threats linked to large international gatherings.

Experts point to lessons learned from the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, when Liberian traveler Thomas Eric Duncan arrived at a Dallas hospital displaying Ebola symptoms but was initially sent home before later being admitted. Two nurses contracted the disease while treating him but recovered.

The incident prompted major reforms in the United States, including approximately $260 million in funding for Ebola preparedness programs, specialized treatment centers and nationwide training initiatives designed to help hospitals quickly identify and isolate suspected cases.

Dr. Gavin Harris, a communicable disease specialist at Emory University in Atlanta, said the country is better prepared than ever to manage serious infectious diseases.

Public health agencies, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, have assessed the Ebola threat to World Cup host nations as low. They consider illnesses such as measles, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza more likely risks because they spread more easily in crowded settings.

Still, officials continue to monitor an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 675 infections and over 135 deaths have been reported.

Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director and chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives, said Ebola requires direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person and does not spread through casual contact. However, he noted that the possibility of international travel means the risk cannot be completely ruled out until the outbreak is contained.

Preparations for the tournament have included nationwide emergency exercises simulating disease outbreaks, guidance for physicians on illnesses uncommon in their regions, and enhanced surveillance systems. Authorities are using tools such as wastewater testing, air-quality monitoring and electronic health records to identify unusual clusters of illness.

The United States, Canada and Mexico have also implemented travel restrictions and screening measures related to countries affected by the outbreak. Officials believe these measures further reduce the chances of Ebola reaching World Cup venues.

Medical committees involving FIFA, lo