Ebola outbreak in Congo raises questions ahead of Houston World Cup match; Houston Methodist doctor weighs in

HOUSTON – An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is raising concerns as Houston prepares to host Congo for a World Cup match in less than a month.

As of Tuesday, health officials report more than 540 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths connected to the outbreak.

With many Houstonians questioning whether Ebola could spread to Texas, infectious disease experts say there is no reason to panic.

“This is not an uncommon occurrence for there to be an Ebola outbreak in Africa during the World Cup and there’s never been an issue with transmission to the World Cup,” said Dr. Wesley Long with Houston Methodist.

Experts say risk to Houston remains low

Dr. Long says the outbreak is something people should be aware of, but the risk of Ebola cases connected to the World Cup making their way into the Houston area remains low.

According to the CDC, there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the United States tied to this outbreak.

Health officials also stress Ebola is much harder to spread than viruses like COVID-19 because it spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids — not through the air.

FIFA, Houston organizers monitoring outbreak

FIFA and Houston’s World Cup Host Committee say they are closely monitoring the outbreak and staying in contact with health experts as preparations for the World Cup continue.

In a statement to KPRC 2, FIFA said:

“FIFA is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding an Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the Congo DR Football Association to ensure that the team are made aware of all medical and security guidance. FIFA continues to work with all three FIFA World Cup 2026™ host countries’ governments, including the US Department of State, CDC and Department of Homeland Security, Mexico’s Secretariat of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as with the World Health Organization, to ensure a safe and secure tournament, as the health of all individuals involved remains FIFA’s priority.”

The Houston Host Committee also released a statement:

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee is being briefed by FIFA, public health experts, and relevant medical agencies regarding recent virus outbreaks. The Host Committee will follow the guidance and recommendations of health authorities as preparations for the tournament move forward.”

CDC increasing airport screenings

The CDC says enhanced Ebola health screenings are now underway at U.S. airports.

Travelers arriving from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan could face additional screening measures. Federal officials are also coordinating with airlines and airport officials, and some travelers may be monitored for symptoms for up to 21 days.

Dr. Long says the outbreak is happening in a remote part of eastern Congo where travel can be difficult because of limited roads and infrastructure.

“The area where this outbreak is occurring is about the size of West Virginia and it’s on the eastern border,” Long said.

He says that travel challenges make it harder for people to quickly move throughout the country or internationally.

Dr. Long says this outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which differs from some previous outbreaks.

“So this Bundibugyo variant is different than the Sudan or Zaire variants that we’ve had in recent outbreaks, which in some cases have available vaccines and things of that nature,” Long said. “There’s not a vaccine for this strain.”

How to protect yourself

Health experts say the best way to protect yourself from Ebola is to avoid direct contact with bodily fluids from someone who is sick, including blood, vomit or saliva.

Doctors also recommend frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with infected animals and following public health guidance when traveling internationally.