Health officials alert on illness risk during FIFA World Cup

Canada is restricting visas for travellers from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to an Ebola outbreak — but public health officials say other illnesses pose a bigger World Cup risk.

As of May 27, people from those countries are barred from entering Canada for 90 days. Starting May 30, anyone who's been in those areas must quarantine for 21 days. The restrictions run until August 29.

The World Health Organization disclosed the Ebola outbreak on May 17. As of June 1, the DRC and Uganda have reported 49 confirmed deaths and 332 cases. There's never been an imported Ebola case in Canada, and none currently in North America.

But B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she's most concerned about other diseases. "I am most concerned, particularly through FIFA, that there will be people who are from somewhere near there who present with an unusual illness," she said. Malaria, which mimics Ebola symptoms early on, is her specific worry.

The FIFA World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Toronto hosts six matches starting June 12; Vancouver hosts seven starting June 13. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected.

Dr. Srinivas Murthy at UBC agrees other diseases are likelier to spread. "Lots of other diseases, which are likely to be more common, like malaria, could possibly mimic and elicit a testing cascade," he said.

Canada, the U.S., and Mexico coordinated the travel measures to protect citizens and the millions of visitors, fans, athletes, and tourists expected during the tournament.