TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has equipped all major airports with testing systems aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola during the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to Mehmet Oz, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 national teams and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The competition is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.
“We have deliberately put testing tools and mechanisms in place at major airports ... where travelers will be passing through,” Oz said during a White House press briefing on Tuesday.
Oz also expressed confidence in the ability of Jay Bhattacharya, director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), to help prevent Ebola from entering the country and infecting Americans.
“I have great confidence in Jay. He is a brilliant scientist and knows a great deal about viruses,” Oz said. “He is a courageous person who will make the right decisions and be transparent.”
On May 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
According to United Nations data, as of May 31, the DRC had confirmed 210 Ebola cases and 17 deaths. Authorities were also investigating about 350 suspected cases, while 16 healthcare workers had been infected.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that is transmitted to humans from wild animals such as bats and non-human primates.
The virus can then spread from person to person through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or organs of an infected individual, as well as through contact with contaminated materials.
The United Nations estimates that Ebola has an average fatality rate of around 50 percent, although mortality rates have reached as high as 90 percent in some previous outbreaks.
First identified in 1976, Ebola’s first large-scale and most complex outbreak occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016. According to the WHO, more than 28,600 people were infected during that epidemic, and 11,325 died.
Read: World Cup: David Beckham to Get Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule: Important Dates and Match Stages
1 jam lalu
Kicking off on June 11, now is the perfect time to discover key dates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, from group stage to final day.
World Cup: David Beckham to Get Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
3 jam lalu
Former MU and England superstar, David Beckham, to be honored for role in "elevating soccer's profile in America" ahead of FIFA World Cup.
World Cup 2026 Group A Profile: Four Nations of Equal Strength
5 jam lalu
Group A of the World Cup 2026 is predicted to be one of the most competitive groups from all the others. Here are the profiles.
How Is Public Trust in PSSI After World Cup Failure? Official Admits
1 hari lalu
PSSI National Team Board Head Sumardji talked about public trust following the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Uruguay Names World Cup Squad, Leaves Out Luis Suarez
2 hari lalu
The Uruguayan national team has officially announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, but has omitted veteran striker Luis Suarez.
LA Metro Launches New Transit System Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
4 hari lalu
LA Metro launched a new mobile app and contactless fare payment system across Los Angeles County.
Neymar to Miss Brazil's World Cup 2026 Opening Match
5 hari lalu
Brazilian star Neymar is set to miss two national team friendlies and could be ruled out of Brazil's World Cup 2026 opener due to a calf injury.
2026 World Cup: US, Canada, Mexico Announce Ebola Travel Measures
5 hari lalu
The Ebola measures aim to protect millions of visitors, fans, athletes, and tourists expected to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi Set for Sixth World Cup as Argentina Announce Final Squad
5 hari lalu
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni officially announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
2026 World Cup: Exploring Houston's Iconic Host Stadium
5 hari lalu
Houston Stadium will be one of the prestigious venues for the 2026 World Cup. It will host seven matches.
