US Urges Europe to Impose Ebola Travel Restrictions

The Trump administration has called on European countries to follow Washington’s lead and impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been in Central African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Washington says the measures are intended to prevent the virus from spreading during the FIFA World Cup, which begins on Thursday and is expected to bring millions of visitors to North America.

The US already bars most foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days from entering the country. Americans returning from affected areas must undergo screening at selected airports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ebola must not be allowed to enter the US. The administration also says it has delivered 150 tons of medical supplies and pledged more than $200 million directly to affected countries.

The World Health Organization has declared the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola an emergency of international concern. The European Union has not yet officially responded to the US appeal.

The number of confirmed cases in Congo has risen to almost 600, raising fears that the disease could spread further.

(reuters, mja)