Experts Caution World Cup May Pose Elevated Risk for Infectious Disease Spread, Including Ebola, Covid-19, and STIs

The upcoming World Cup presents an ideal setting for the spread of infectious diseases, a leading expert has cautioned.

As the five-week-long tournament is about to commence, millions of fans are preparing to flock to 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This massive influx of visitors raises the risk of outbreaks involving various diseases, ranging from Ebola to sexually transmitted infections.

Dr. Andres Henao, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease at the University of Colorado Anschutz, has identified key health threats that specialists are closely monitoring.

In an article for The Conversation, he noted, “Millions of fans will converge through numerous airports and gather in stadiums, hotels, bars, and public transportation systems over the five-week period.”

“This transforms the World Cup from merely a sporting event into an extensive global interaction, creating an ideal backdrop for the transmission of infectious diseases,” he elaborated.

‘Events of this scale rarely cause major outbreaks, but they do create opportunities for outbreaks and for health systems to be tested.

‘The possibilities range from the dramatic but unlikely (an imported Ebola case) to the much more probable (flu and measles spreading through crowded venues) and the largely overlooked (spikes in sexually transmitted infections and mosquito–borne diseases gaining footholds in new areas).’

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 warns. 

However, he reassures that this is ‘unlikely’.  

‘The risk of Ebola reaching a World Cup stadium is very low,’ Dr Henao explained. 

‘That’s because the virus spreads only through direct contact with bodily fluids like blood or saliva, not through the air, and infected people aren’t contagious until they show symptoms.

‘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. 

‘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.’

Instead, Dr Henao says the more likely threats at the World Cup are respiratory infections that spread by coughing, sneezing and breathing. 

Of ‘special concern’ is measles, which is already surging in the US, Canada, and Mexico. 

Beyond respiratory infections, there’s the risk of mosquito–borne diseases – particularly for matches in southern US and Mexican host cities

Dr Henao warned: ‘An infected fan in the stands, at an airport or in a bar could easily cause an outbreak.’

Other respiratory infections that could explode at the World Cup include Covid–19 and flu. 

‘Big gatherings can amplify the risk of transmission,’ the expert added. 

Beyond respiratory infections, there’s the risk of mosquito–borne diseases – particularly for matches in southern US and Mexican host cities. 

Dengue fever cases spiked in the US in 2024, with nearly 3,800 cases – a 359 per cent jump over the prior 14–year average.  

Dr Henao said: ‘Most cases occurred in travelers returning from the Caribbean and Central America. Still, locally acquired cases have cropped up, mainly in Los Angeles.’

There’s also a risk that fans will bring mosquito–borne diseases including yellow fever and Oropouche virus in from their home countries.

‘Travelers carrying these infections may need medical care, but familiarity with them among U.S. physicians tends to be low,’ the expert warned. 

‘There’s also a small risk that illnesses may spread locally through mosquito bites.’

Finally, somewhat unsurprisingly, there’s the risk of a sexually transmitted infection outbreak at the World Cup. 

Dr Henao said: ‘About 1 in 5 international travelers engages in casual sex, according to one study, and nearly half of those encounters are unprotected.’

If you’re attending any of the World Cup games, Dr Henao advises taking steps to protect yourself. 

This includes making sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, practicing safe sex, using mosquito repellent, and staying home or wearing a mask if you feel unwell.