Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jun 10: The United States has urged the international community to intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, emphasizing that coordinated global action is essential to prevent the virus from spreading beyond the affected regions.
The appeal came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on strengthening cooperation between the United States and Europe in responding to the outbreak.
According to the US State Department, the two leaders reviewed ongoing response measures and explored ways to enhance international coordination in tackling the public health emergency.
State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the protection of American citizens remains Washington’s foremost priority.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss US and European coordination and response efforts to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda,” Pigott said.
He added that preventing the virus from reaching the United States remains central to the administration’s strategy.
The Trump administration highlighted what it described as a swift and comprehensive response to the outbreak, stating that federal agencies were mobilized within 24 hours of the first confirmed case.
Officials said the response has involved medical assistance, humanitarian support, operational coordination and consular resources aimed at limiting the spread of the disease and supporting affected regions.
The administration also noted that the United States remains the largest financial contributor to international Ebola response efforts and has continued to provide significant assistance to containment operations.
As part of its public health strategy, Washington has implemented enhanced travel-related precautions, including restrictions and screening measures for individuals who have recently visited countries affected by the outbreak.
US officials argued that such measures are necessary to safeguard national security and public health while minimizing the risk of imported infections.
At the same time, the administration called on other nations to take stronger action by increasing financial support for response operations and adopting preventive measures designed to curb cross-border transmission.
“The United States has stepped up. Now the world must do more,” a State Department official said, stressing that immediate action is required to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.
The State Department also confirmed that the United States is actively engaging governments around the world to coordinate response strategies and strengthen international preparedness.
Officials said these diplomatic efforts are particularly important ahead of major global events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is expected to attract millions of athletes, tourists and spectators from across the globe.
Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. The disease has caused several deadly outbreaks across Africa over the past decades, often requiring extensive public health interventions to contain transmission.
Health authorities typically rely on measures such as surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and treatment facilities, community awareness campaigns and targeted vaccination programmes to control outbreaks and prevent wider spread.
With cases continuing to raise concerns in Central Africa, the United States has reiterated the need for a coordinated international response, warning that early intervention and collective action remain critical to preventing a larger global health threat.