US Urges Europe To Tighten Travel Curbs Amid Ebola Outbreak Concerns

The administration of US President Donald Trump has urged European nations to impose stronger travel restrictions on people arriving from Ebola-affected regions in Africa, warning that inadequate measures could result in tighter US controls on travellers entering from Europe.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, stressing the need for closer coordination between the United States and Europe in responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda .

According to the US State Department, protecting Americans and preventing the outbreak from reaching US territory remains its highest priority. A senior US official said Washington believes Europe should step up both financially and operationally to contain the disease and prevent its spread beyond Africa.

The United States has specifically called for stronger travel restrictions on passengers arriving from Ebola-hit African countries , arguing that such measures are necessary to curb international transmission of the virus. Officials indicated that a failure to act could affect transatlantic travel arrangements in the future.

The issue has gained urgency with the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where millions of fans, athletes and officials are expected to travel during the tournament. While there are relatively few direct flights between Africa and the United States, American officials note that more than 300 direct flights operate daily between Europe and the US.

Washington has already barred travellers who have been in affected countries within the previous 21 days from entering the United States and has established quarantine and monitoring procedures for returning American citizens.

The outbreak, which was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola , a rare variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.

According to the latest data from European health authorities, the DRC has reported more than 550 confirmed cases and over 100 deaths , while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and two fatalities. European officials continue to assess the risk to the continent as low and have focused on surveillance, preparedness measures and support for affected countries rather than imposing broad travel bans.

The United States says it has contributed more than USD 200 million to the response effort and supplied approximately 150 tonnes of medical equipment and humanitarian aid since the outbreak was confirmed last month. The European Union on Tuesday announced an additional 16.5 million euros in funding, on top of 15 million euros committed earlier.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have criticised the Trump administration over the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) , arguing that it may have weakened global outbreak-response capabilities. Rubio rejected those concerns, saying disease-detection programmes have been integrated into broader health partnerships with African nations and insisting that the US response has been swift and effective.