U.S. urges Europe to impose Ebola travel bans ahead of World Cup

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump sent a diplomatic note on 1 June urging European governments to introduce travel restrictions for anyone who had been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days because of the Ebola outbreak. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already barred entry of non‑U.S. nationals from those countries and required American travelers to undergo health screening at designated airports. The measures are intended to prevent the virus from spreading during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. European officials have so far not responded to the request. The World Health Organization reports 550 confirmed Ebola cases, including 101 deaths, and says contact‑tracing efforts are covering about 62 % of identified contacts, below the target of 90‑95 %. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is taking responsibility to keep Ebola out of its borders and is offering financial support for containment efforts.