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The United States has called on countries around the world to intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
It urged stronger international cooperation and travel restrictions as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A State Department official said to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday that while Washington had taken significant measures to prevent the virus from reaching U.S. territory, other nations must do more to curb its spread.
"The United States has stepped up. Now the world must do more to step up as well," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official urged governments to increase funding for outbreak response efforts and implement what were described as "commonsense restrictions" on travel from affected areas.
The outbreak was first identified last month in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and has since spread to neighboring Uganda, raising concerns among health authorities and governments worldwide.
The administration of President Donald Trump has pledged to take all necessary steps to prevent the virus from entering the United States.
Among the measures announced is the establishment of an Ebola treatment center in Kenya for American citizens who may require medical care during the outbreak.
The initiative has sparked protests in Kenya, where demonstrators have voiced concerns over the possibility of bringing individuals exposed to the virus into the country. Local media reported that clashes between protesters and police on Tuesday left at least one person dead.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that the Trump administration has pressed European governments to adopt stricter travel controls in response to the outbreak.
The State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had discussed U.S.-European coordination efforts with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"The department's highest priority and focus remain protecting the health of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores," State Department spokesperson Thomas Piggott said.
The United States has already imposed restrictions on non-citizens who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
Despite the heightened precautions, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national football team is not expected to be affected by the travel measures.
The squad has been training in Europe for several weeks ahead of the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
However, concerns surrounding the outbreak have already affected sporting events. A planned warm-up match between DR Congo and Chile was relocated from Spain to France following public concerns over the virus.
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