The United States is pressing European governments to adopt stricter travel restrictions and screening for passengers from Ebola-affected areas in Central Africa, citing the risk of imported cases ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, most EU countries have so far rejected calls for significant new border controls.
The Trump administration has implemented entry bans for non-US citizens and green card holders who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan. It is now urging European allies to follow suit, warning that failure to act could force Washington to consider unilateral measures due to strong transatlantic travel links.
EU countries are pushing back on the demand.
Belgium has explicitly rejected the US request. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke stated that imposing travel bans on Congolese nationals or broad restrictions is not justified, given the low risk of sustained transmission in Europe.
Germany has stated it sees no justification for broad entry bans and will stick to enhanced monitoring and contact tracing.
France will focus on support for outbreak control in Africa and standard airport health advice.
Most other EU countries are aligning with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Health Security Committee, which assess the risk to the European population as very low.
The current consensus favours enhanced exit screening in affected African countries, contact tracing, and public health advice rather than entry bans or broad flight restrictions.
No major EU member state has announced US-style travel bans or mandatory entry screening from the affected region as of June 9.
Some countries have issued updated travel advisories and strengthened airport health information measures, but none has gone as far as the United States.
The EU continues to support outbreak control efforts in Africa through funding and coordination, while emphasising that overly restrictive measures could hinder humanitarian aid and slow reporting of new cases.
The situation remains fluid as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak continues in eastern DRC and parts of Uganda.
Across the rest of Africa, no confirmed Ebola cases have been reported outside the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. However, neighbouring countries remain on high alert.
Several have stepped up border screening, airport health checks, and preparedness measures.
In Kenya, plans to establish a 50-bed US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base near the town of Nanyuki have triggered strong local opposition.
Hundreds of residents protested in early June, fearing the facility could endanger nearby communities.
Kenya’s High Court ordered the temporary suspension of the project and demanded full disclosure of details.
Despite the court ruling, reports of continued US military flights and construction activity have further inflamed tensions, with some protests turning violent.
The facility was intended to isolate asymptomatic Americans exposed to the Bundibugyo Ebola strain before any return to the United States.
