The U.S. State Department is urging European nations to implement travel restrictions on individuals coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and surrounding areas to help curb the spread of Ebola, as reported this week by various sources.
According to Reuters, the Trump administration made an official request on Tuesday for the European Union to evaluate the introduction of travel bans for regions affected by Ebola.
“Other nations should also contribute to controlling this outbreak. We need immediate action, which includes supporting and enforcing sensible travel limitations from impacted areas,” a U.S. official, who spoke anonymously, told Reuters.
The U.S. government has issued a diplomatic note advocating for travel restrictions in Europe to safeguard American citizens, particularly as millions plan to travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup. An EU official confirmed this to Reuters. The World Cup, seen as the largest sporting event globally, is set to take place soon in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The DRC soccer team, having qualified, had to comply with U.S. travel regulations before arriving in Houston for their match.
“We are engaging diplomatically with nations worldwide to coordinate strategies that protect their people and the millions of visitors and fans expected during the World Cup,” another unnamed U.S. official explained to Reuters.
In comments similar to those carried by Reuters, the Washington-based site Axios reported that a Sources from the State Department indicated that European nations have a duty to restrict travel to safeguard their own and American citizens from Ebola.
“European nations must contribute to preventing the further spread of this outbreak,” the official stated. “Immediate action is essential.”
The State Department also noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone conversation regarding the outbreak with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier in the week.
“The main priority for the State Department is ensuring the health of American citizens and thwarting the Ebola outbreak before it reaches this country,” said State Department spokesman Thomas Piggott in a statement related to the call.
On Wednesday, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke publicly criticized U.S. efforts to promote virus control measures. He asserted that Belgium is not currently contemplating any travel ban for non-nationals and suggested that the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025 is partly to blame for the Ebola issue in the DRC.
“The U.S. bears considerable responsibility for the current situation due to cutbacks in development aid and medical support,” Vandenbroucke claimed. “This approach will offend the conscience of millions.”
It’s important to note that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC is not a result of U.S. policy but is occurring in a region with a longstanding history with the virus. While the WHO confirmed the latest outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain in mid-May, officials later acknowledged they had overlooked the onset of the outbreak and let the disease gain a “head start.” Past occurrences in the area were linked to Zaire and Sudan strains, complicating quick identification and response efforts.
Moreover, the overall violent situation in eastern DRC adds another layer of difficulty. Numerous armed groups, including those affiliated with the Islamic State, are competing for control of areas known for hazardous and illegal mining activities. This turmoil, coupled with a general distrust towards the WHO due to previous scandals involving staff misconduct during earlier outbreaks, presents significant hurdles to patient care and tracking contacts.
The U.S. has not been actively involved in the DRC’s mining disputes or the WHO’s sexual abuse issues. In contrast, Belgium has a historical connection, having colonized the DRC and exploited its resources for 75 years, leaving a legacy of suffering for the local population.
The U.S. was among the first to impose travel restrictions on entrants from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, mandating a 21-day quarantine before crossing into the U.S. Uganda imposed its own travel limitations after Ebola cases began to appear in the DRC, which shares a border with it and has reported fatalities from the current outbreak. Other nations, including India, Thailand, Canada, and the Bahamas, have also enacted travel restrictions, while, at this point, European countries have not taken similar actions.
It’s noteworthy that the U.S. call for a travel ban contrasts with WHO’s stance, which has been discouraging comprehensive policies of that nature. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who had visited the DRC in late May, urged nations to lessen travel bans, asserting they are not helpful.
“Broad travel bans by some countries are disrupting supply systems and hindering response efforts,” Tedros remarked earlier this month. “WHO advises on exit testing at airports and borders to prevent infected individuals from departing the country.”
“We urge countries with extensive travel restrictions to reconsider,” he added.
Similarly, during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Tedros resisted calls for travel bans to China, with reports indicating he blocked recommendations from some medical professionals in early 2020.
As of Tuesday, there are 617 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC and Uganda, resulting in 117 deaths, with 27 recoveries reported. Additionally, 138 individuals are classified as “suspected” cases awaiting confirmation.
