90-Second Read: The World Cup’s Real Viral Threats Aren’t Ebola Or Hantavirus

Two viruses have dominated recent headlines: an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has led to over 600 confirmed cases and 115 deaths. Meanwhile, a cruise ship outbreak of Hantavirus in April 2026 resulted in 11 confirmed cases and 3 deaths among passengers and crew. A retrospective review of stool samples from the 2022 FIFA World Cup found foodborne pathogens in nearly 20% of samples, with norovirus leading the viral category at 35%. As millions attend the World Cup, health experts are keeping an eye on the spread of infectious diseases.

As a result, there are several viruses that are more likely to cause outbreaks stemming from World Cup games and events. Although the number of Covid-19 associated infections, hospitalizations and deaths are down significantly since pandemic levels, the virus continues to cause outbreaks worldwide. The number of confirmed measles cases in the United States has surpassed 2,000, putting this year on pace to be the worst for measles in nearly 3 decades. With catering events at watch parties, shared food and drinks, and crowded stadiums, World Cup events represent near-ideal conditions for a norovirus outbreak.

Individuals infected with Ebola are not contagious before they develop symptoms, and transmission generally requires direct contact with body fluids from someone who is sick. Importantly, Ebola is not spread through the respiratory route, including coughing and sneezing. With the continued emergence of Covid-19 variants, this puts a substantial number of people at-risk for infection during large gatherings, which will be common throughout the World Cup. This is stark contrast to Ebola, which generally has been shown to have an R-naught of 1.5 to 2, meaning that an infected person typically spreads the disease to fewer than 2 other people.

Measles virus is one of the most infectious agents on the planet, and as vaccination coverage has declined in many countries worldwide, the virus represents a threat at any large social gathering. If you have any respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, sore throat, sneezing) and decide to attend a World Cup event, wear a mask. These viruses tend to cause vesicles on the skin or genitalia, and are difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone.