With fears of an Ebola spread mounting and the North American World Cup, which will see about 6 million people travel, about to kick off, the international community's capacity to respond to infectious diseases is being put to the test.
According to Bloomberg on the 5th local time, Ebola is spreading rapidly, centered on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. As of the 2nd, more than 470 suspected and confirmed cases and at least 61 deaths had been reported. Experts say the initial spread in this outbreak is among the fastest of any Ebola outbreak on record.
◇ U.S. aid cuts and WHO budget woes weaken infectious disease response
The problem is that this outbreak is caused by the "Bundibugyo" strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. Until now, Ebola response systems were built around the Zaire strain, which has a relatively higher incidence. As a result, critics say existing diagnostic systems and response tools have not worked adequately in this outbreak.
Conditions in the affected areas are also an obstacle. The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen more than 5 million people lose their homes due to years of armed conflict, and its medical infrastructure has been heavily damaged. In some areas, residents have even disrupted funeral procedures or attacked treatment facilities, making it difficult for health authorities to respond.
Experts also see the weakening of the international community's infectious disease response system as one of the reasons this crisis has grown. In the past, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) handled disease surveillance, sample transport, and health workforce support in eastern Congo. But after the Donald Trump administration took office, overseas aid was sharply reduced, and many related programs were halted. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), U.S. global development aid fell 57% last year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also seen staff reduced and budgets cut since the U.S. reduced support. According to internal WHO documents, in parts of eastern Congo more than half of health facilities have been closed or damaged, and those that remain are suffering from shortages of medicines and medical personnel.
◇ "World Cup drawing 6 million visitors expected to affect Ebola spread"
With the global disease control network fraying, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup is emerging as a new variable in Ebola's spread. Opening on the 11th, the tournament will be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and is expected to draw about 6 million visitors. People from around the world are expected to crowd stadiums and cities over 39 days, moving back and forth.
BlueDot, an infectious disease surveillance corporations based in Toronto, Canada, warned in a recent report that the World Cup could become a highly "pathogen-friendly environment." Given the scale of international travel, it said authorities cannot rule out the possibility that not only existing infectious diseases but also unexpected novel illnesses could spread.
In fact, the Ebola spread has begun to affect the schedules of World Cup participants. According to ESPN, a friendly match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile that was to be held on the 9th in La Línea de la Concepción in southern Spain was canceled at the recommendation of local health authorities. Juan Franco, the mayor of La Línea, said, "I signed an administrative order in line with the health authorities' view opposing the game due to potential health risks."
The U.S. government is also raising its alert level. Andrew Giuliani, the White House World Cup task force lead, said in an interview with ESPN, "The Congo national team must maintain a full bubble system (self-isolation) for 21 days before entering the United States," adding, "If they fail to do so, entry into the United States may be difficult."