The United States, Mexico, and Canada on Thursday, 29 May 2025 issued a coordinated trilateral statement outlining aligned public health travel measures for individuals arriving from African regions considered at highest risk from the Ebola virus. The move comes as concern mounts over an active Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, with the three nations seeking to safeguard millions of visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

What the Trilateral Statement Says

The joint declaration by the three North American governments states that the coordinated approach is designed to 'protect our citizens and the millions of visitors, fans, athletes and tourists expected during the FIFA World Cup 2026, while maintaining travel and commerce across our borders.' The statement emphasised that 'the health and safety of every person in the region remains our highest priority as we welcome the world to North America.'

The measures specifically target travellers arriving from African regions classified as being at greatest risk from the Ebola virus, though the statement did not specify which countries fall under the classification or the precise nature of the screening protocols.

Rubio's Warning and US Federal Response

A day earlier, on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Donald Trump at the White House that the administration was working 'aggressively' to prevent Ebola cases from entering the country. 'We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,' Rubio said.

Rubio confirmed that the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and several other federal agencies were coordinating containment efforts — particularly focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'We've surged assistance to make sure that that is being contained there,' he added. US agencies are also reportedly monitoring travellers and border movements to prevent infected individuals from entering the country.

Uganda Bans Mass Gatherings

In a parallel development, Uganda has banned mass public gatherings in an effort to contain the spread of Ebola within its borders. A circular issued late on Wednesday by Uganda's Ministry of Health prohibits activities that attract large crowds, including music concerts, cultural festivals, public rallies, political mobilisation events, marathons, and cross-border marketing activities.

The ban reflects the seriousness with which East African authorities are treating the current outbreak, and signals that containment measures are being escalated at both the national and regional levels.

FIFA World Cup 2026 as a Flashpoint

The timing of the trilateral statement is directly tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — making it the first tournament hosted across three nations. The event is expected to draw millions of international visitors, creating an elevated public health coordination challenge. This is notably the first time all three co-host nations have issued a joint health travel advisory of this kind ahead of a major sporting event.

What Comes Next

Health authorities across the three nations are expected to detail specific screening and monitoring protocols in the coming days. The World Health Organization's stance on the current Ebola outbreak and any travel advisories it issues will likely shape further policy responses. With the World Cup less than a year away, public health preparedness is set to remain a central issue for all three governments.