US asks Europe to impose Ebola-related travel restrictions before World Cup

People react as Red Cross workers walk in formation disinfecting Rwampara general hospital before handling the body of a person who died of Ebola, amid efforts by aid agencies to contain a new outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain, in Rwampara, outside Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, in May
Reuters
The Trump administration has called on European countries to follow Washington's example and impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been to Central African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, hoping to prevent the spread of the virus during the World Cup, sources and officials said on Tuesday.
The United States issued a démarche - a formal diplomatic statement of concern - on June 1 calling on European countries to implement travel restrictions related to the outbreak, according to a European Union diplomat based in Africa and a second source with knowledge of the matter. The diplomat said EU member states have not responded.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month issued an order banning entry into the US of non-citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days. Americans have been directed to pass through specific airports for screening.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Ebola should not be allowed to enter the United States, and the administration's efforts have focused on keeping anyone potentially exposed to the virus abroad, even though the country has facilities equipped to treat Ebola cases and contain the spread of the virus.
According to a State Department official, the travel restrictions, combined with U.S. funding commitments for the Ebola response, Ebola, showed that Washington had "stepped up" its measures to protect Americans from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which the World Health Organization declared an emergency of international concern.
"Other countries must do their part to ensure this outbreak does not spread further. Action is needed now. This includes financial contributions and implementing sensible restrictions on travel from the affected area," the official said, on condition of anonymity.
"We are engaging diplomatically with countries around the world to coordinate our approach to protecting our citizens, including the millions of visitors, fans, athletes and tourists expected at the FIFA World Cup." formal request to European countries, which was first published by Axios.
The EU did not respond to a request for comment at first.
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Rubio and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the Ebola response in a call on Tuesday, according to the State Department.
"The Department's highest priority and focus continues to be protecting the health of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores," spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement about the call.
The Trump administration, which has faced criticism for closing the United States Agency for International Development and cutting aid funding before the outbreak, says it has delivered 150 tons of medical supplies and pledged more than $200 million directly to affected countries, making it the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response.
The Ebola outbreak has complicated some travel ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico and begins on Thursday.
(Reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington and Giulia Paravicini in Nairobi; Additional reporting by Julia Payne in Brussels)

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