Ebola anxiety spreads as World Cup travel kicks off

(CNN, KYMA) - The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) traveled to the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this weekend.

He urged infected people to seek care early, and there's growing concern of the virus spreading.

All of this comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup where millions of people are expected to travel to the U.S.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak Saturday where despair and desperation are prevalent in DRC as the deadly virus rapidly spreads.

At least 238 people are believed to have died and there are more than 1,000 suspected infections since the outbreak was first declared May 15.

WHO has said the outbreak in DRC and Uganda is a public emergency of international concern. Multiple agencies across the globe including the red cross have traveled to Western Africa to help.

"Without health workers, it would be very difficult then to help patients," Dr. Ghebreyesus expressed.

This particular strain of ebola is extremely rare and there’s no approved vaccines or treatments.

When asked if he was worried that the outbreak could spread to a level similar to 2014, Ghebreyesus said, "It depends on how we respond."

As a precaution, the U.S. has banned non-U.S. citizens who have recently traveled from Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the U.S. for 21 days.

"We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola into the United States," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

With less than two weeks until the first World Cup game in Los Angeles, there's growing concern about containing the spread of Ebola.

Flights carrying passengers from affected African regions will land at specific airports in New York, Virginia, Atlanta, and Houston to undergo health screenings.

The U.S. State Department estimates five to seven-million people will travel to the U.S. for the World Cup matches.