Donald Trump’s astonishing plans to shift the blame from the United States – in the case of an Ebola outbreak at the World Cup – have been revealed.
The five–week tournament kicks off in just two days, with millions of fans set to descend on 16 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico.
As fans prepare to flock in from across the globe, there are rising concerns from health officials over a potential outbreak of the deadly virus during the tournament.
On Tuesday, an Axios report revealed that White House officials are also concerned about the arrival of Ebola – but have a plan in place in the event of an outbreak.
The report claims that White House officials will blame Europe’s relaxed travel restrictions for any cases which emerge on US soil during the five-week event.
A State Department official told the news site: ‘European countries must do their part to ensure this outbreak does not spread further,’ adding, ‘Action is required now’.
Donald Trump’s astonishing plans to shift the blame from the United States – in the case of an Ebola outbreak at the World Cup – have been revealed
The latest Ebola figures suggest there have been hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of confirmed deaths, with numbers continuing to rise as testing and surveillance improve
There are rising concerns over a potential outbreak of the deadly virus during the World Cup
The report adds that US officials have asked European leaders to consider travel bans on Central African countries, in a bid to prevent a potential outbreak this summer.
However, according to the outlet, a number of leaders have rejected the demands, claiming that preventative methods such as contact tracing are substantial enough.
As a result, should there be an outbreak, the US government is prepared to blame World Health Organization guidelines and European leaders.
Beyond the political strategy, health experts are focused on the medical realities of the threat.
What makes this particular threat especially concerning to global health officials is the strain involved – the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there is currently no vaccine. It kills about 50 percent of people it infects
The latest figures suggest there are nearly 1,000 suspected cases connected to the outbreak and more than 200 suspected deaths.
The US has also imposed several travel restrictions on countries across the globe, with roughly a quarter of the 48-competing nations subject to a form of screening.
Writing for ‘The Conversation’, Dr Andres Henao, Associate Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease at the University of Colorado Anschutz recently explained the scenario.
‘The US has banned entry for non–U.S. citizens and green card holders who have been in the affected countries in the past 21 days and is screening all passengers traveling from affected areas,’ he said.
The World Cup will have the ‘perfect conditions’ for infectious diseases to spread, an expert has warned. Pictured: Fans watching France vs Croatia at the 2018 World Cup
‘It is also urging European countries to embrace similar procedures as World Cup travel picks up. Mexico and Canada also have travel restrictions in place.’
With no approved vaccines, rapid tests, or treatments available for the most recent strain, an outbreak of Ebola could be devastating at the World Cup.
Dr Henao added: ‘Millions of fans will arrive through multiple airports and will pack into stadiums, airports, hotels, bars and public transit systems over five weeks.
‘That makes the World Cup not just a sporting event but a weekslong experiment in global mixing that creates a perfect environment for infectious diseases to spread.
‘Events of this scale rarely cause major outbreaks, but they do create opportunities for outbreaks and for health systems to be tested.
