JONATHAN M. METSCH, Dr.P.H. – Tracking Emerging Public Health Challenges – June 16, 2026 – World Cup
““Preparedness is something that’s always going on,” said Kuppalli, co-director of the Texas hotline. “The point of preparedness is making sure that we can quickly identify patients who may have particular diseases, make sure they get the appropriate care and that we implement the appropriate infection prevention control measures.””
“While cities and regions have prepared, there are concerns that the extra fans could overwhelm local hospitals.
“The more people that are in your city, the more the pressure there’s going to be on your healthcare facilities,” Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said. “Not necessarily because of infectious diseases that are spreading but just the fact that there’s more people. There’s going to be more sprained ankles, more belly pain, more heart attacks.”
Bernard Camins, MD, an infectious disease doctor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noted that the New York City Department of Health asked hospital systems about their capacity and preparedness in the unlikely event of bioterrorism during the World Cup. He believes Mount Sinai is ready.
“It’s ingrained in our emergency department in terms of diseases of high consequence, like measles, because we do have potential exposures,” he said. “We’ve been preparing the entire time for things like that.”” (1)
“Millions of fans have been gathering from all over the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. One of the most significant threats may not be found on the field, but in the weather forecast. Extreme heat, humidity and prolonged outdoor exposure for both fans and players could put individuals at risk for a range of heat-related illnesses; including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The games across 16 cities will be played in some of the hottest months of the year; June and July. Many of the games will have temperatures in the 80s and 90 degrees Fahrenheit range, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees F in some cases. This level of heat poses health risks for players and fans enjoying the festivities.
Heat illnesses occur when the body’s cooling mechanisms get overwhelmed from severe heat and humidity. Normally, sweat helps cool the body as it evaporates. However, with high temperatures and humidity, the body sweat does not evaporate effectively, making heat dissipation less effective. In addition, with excess sweating, the body loses water and fluids, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the skin to keep it cool.”
“Any young, healthy individual can get any of these heat-related illnesses, particularly when exposed to high temperatures in humid areas for prolonged periods of time. This includes nearly all players and spectators at the World Cup. Those more likely to suffer from heat related illnesses include young children, the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant females because these individuals can have difficulty regulating their body temperatures or may not be able to retain enough fluids to stay hydrated.” (2)
“The team publishes a daily situation report flagging any new developments and identifying which national teams may face higher risks based on the location of their base camp or upcoming matches.
Some pathogens under surveillance are common to any large gathering of people, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
However, others are more specific to the region hosting the tournament.
“We monitor a bunch of different pathogens, but I will say the top of mind right now is measles. We certainly have seen cases in the US, Canada, and Mexico,” Katz said, adding that the team is watching the situation “quite carefully” given reports in some jurisdictions where games are planned or national teams are based.
Other pathogens being monitored include dengue, hepatitis A and mpox.
“All of that follows what we traditionally look at in mass gathering events,” Katz noted.”
“One of the Georgetown center’s primary goals is proactive communication in case of outbreaks.
If the team detects a health risk in one host city, they immediately notify officials in the next city on the travel itinerary for those fanbases. This allows local hospitals to prepare for specific illnesses before a wave of travelers arrives.
“If New York is seeing something, and we know the fan base is traveling from New York to Seattle for the next game, then we’ll connect the data of what we saw in New York to the Seattle jurisdiction so they can prepare,” Katz said.
The center also provides country profiles to host cities, detailing diseases prevalent in the home nations of visiting teams. This helps local officials understand specific risks, such as whether a visiting team’s home base has a history of dengue, and whether the local environment in the United States might support the mosquitoes that carry it.” (3)
“Travelers at the often bustling international terminal at San Francisco Airport may have been exposed to the highly contagious measles virus days before the start of the World Cup, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The department warned that a person with measles traveled through multiple areas of SFO on June 8, including the international terminal, passport control, customs and the baggage claim area between 8:30 and 11 a.m. On the same day, between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m., the individual also visited two markets in San Jose: a Trader Joe’s store at 635 Coleman Ave. and International Halal Market at 960 E. Santa Clara St.”
“Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said health departments are watching cities hosting World Cup events closely to look for any signs of disease outbreaks that could spread as fans and teams travel for the games.
“As we looked at the World Cup events and wondered what infectious hazards might crop up, measles was at the top of the list,” Schaffner told SFGATE. “It is the most contagious virus.””
“Measles generally incubates between eight and 14 days, although it can incubate as long as 21 days. Dr. Matt Willis, the former officer for the Marin County Public Health, said due to the relatively long incubation time, it can take up to 42 days before health officials know for certain no one else was infected. In this case, however, Willis said it’s likely no new cases will appear if none are detected in the next 21 days.
“It is a little bit of a white-knuckle ride, when … you know large numbers of people in your community have been exposed,” he said.” (4)
“The risk that a traveler infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament that kicked off last week is low but not zero, and if that happens, U.S. hospitals are ready to respond, U.S. infectious disease experts say.
It wasn’t always so.
During the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, arrived in a Dallas hospital with Ebola symptoms and was turned away before being admitted.
Two nurses were infected but survived.
That led to $260 million in U.S. funding for Ebola preparedness training and response capabilities and 13 specialized treatment centers – all intended to help hospitals identify, isolate and safely care for suspected Ebola patients.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization have all described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, citing measles, COVID-19 and influenza – which spread when large crowds gather – as the most likely threats.
But the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has infected more than 675 people and killed more than 135 remains a concern.
“The risk of Ebola to anyone at the World Cup is extremely low. Ebola isn’t airborne and doesn’t spread through casual contact — it requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC.
“But low isn’t zero, and it won’t be zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in DRC.” (5)
“The 2026 World Cup will be played during the hottest months of the year in an environment that is significantly warmer than it was when the U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1994. The conditions facing players, fans, and workers are not just a challenge for this year’s matches — they are a preview of how climate change is reshaping sports and outdoor activities globally.
A recent NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament’s 104 matches face a high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions. Some of the matches at greatest risk include marquee events such as the World Cup final and the third-place match. Climate experts have reached similar conclusions: an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that roughly one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions that pose elevated health risks to players and spectators. Five matches could face conditions severe enough to warrant postponement under international heat-safety guidelines.
These findings are consistent with a broader trend. Climate Central recently reported that extreme heat has increased across nearly every World Cup host city compared to previous decades. In some locations, extremely hot summer days occur several times more often than they did when earlier tournaments were held.
The reason is clear: Our planet is getting hotter. As healthcare providers, we see how heat turns quickly from discomfort into medical risk.” (6)
1.The behind-the-scenes work of protecting World Cup fans from infectious diseases, Meghan Holohan, https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/behind-scenes-work-protecting-world-cup-fans-infectious-diseases
2.World Cup 2026: Six million fans, three countries and a team racing to stop outbreaks, By Marta Iraola Iribarren, https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/06/16/world-cup-2026-six-million-fans-three-countries-and-a-team-racing-to-stop-outbreaks
3.Health ‘War Room,’ Digital Tools Are Tracking Disease Risks During World Cup, https://www.vaccineadvisor.com/news/health-war-room-digital-tools-are-tracking-disease-risks-during-world-cup/
4.Measles case detected at SFO days before World Cup start, By Gillian Mohney, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/sfo-measles-world-cup-22305735.php
5.Ebola risk for World Cup is ‘extremely low’, but US is ready, experts say, By Julie Steenhuysen, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ebola-risk-world-cup-is-extremely-low-us-is-ready-experts-say-2026-06-15/
6.The World Cup Is a Celebration of Sport. It’s Also a Warning About Climate Change., by Rose Jones and Nicholas Snow, https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/climate-checkup/121730
curated by Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H.
Clinical Professor of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Tracking Emerging Public Health Challenges – June 16, 2026 – World Cup
““Preparedness is something that’s always going on,” said Kuppalli, co-director of the Texas hotline. “The point of preparedness is making sure that we can quickly identify patients who may have particular diseases, make sure they get the appropriate care and that we implement the appropriate infection prevention control measures.””
“While cities and regions have prepared, there are concerns that the extra fans could overwhelm local hospitals.
“The more people that are in your city, the more the pressure there’s going to be on your healthcare facilities,” Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said. “Not necessarily because of infectious diseases that are spreading but just the fact that there’s more people. There’s going to be more sprained ankles, more belly pain, more heart attacks.”
Bernard Camins, MD, an infectious disease doctor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noted that the New York City Department of Health asked hospital systems about their capacity and preparedness in the unlikely event of bioterrorism during the World Cup. He believes Mount Sinai is ready.
“It’s ingrained in our emergency department in terms of diseases of high consequence, like measles, because we do have potential exposures,” he said. “We’ve been preparing the entire time for things like that.”” (1)
“Millions of fans have been gathering from all over the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. One of the most significant threats may not be found on the field, but in the weather forecast. Extreme heat, humidity and prolonged outdoor exposure for both fans and players could put individuals at risk for a range of heat-related illnesses; including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The games across 16 cities will be played in some of the hottest months of the year; June and July. Many of the games will have temperatures in the 80s and 90 degrees Fahrenheit range, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees F in some cases. This level of heat poses health risks for players and fans enjoying the festivities.
Heat illnesses occur when the body’s cooling mechanisms get overwhelmed from severe heat and humidity. Normally, sweat helps cool the body as it evaporates. However, with high temperatures and humidity, the body sweat does not evaporate effectively, making heat dissipation less effective. In addition, with excess sweating, the body loses water and fluids, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the skin to keep it cool.”
“Any young, healthy individual can get any of these heat-related illnesses, particularly when exposed to high temperatures in humid areas for prolonged periods of time. This includes nearly all players and spectators at the World Cup. Those more likely to suffer from heat related illnesses include young children, the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant females because these individuals can have difficulty regulating their body temperatures or may not be able to retain enough fluids to stay hydrated.” (2)
“The team publishes a daily situation report flagging any new developments and identifying which national teams may face higher risks based on the location of their base camp or upcoming matches.
Some pathogens under surveillance are common to any large gathering of people, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
However, others are more specific to the region hosting the tournament.
“We monitor a bunch of different pathogens, but I will say the top of mind right now is measles. We certainly have seen cases in the US, Canada, and Mexico,” Katz said, adding that the team is watching the situation “quite carefully” given reports in some jurisdictions where games are planned or national teams are based.
Other pathogens being monitored include dengue, hepatitis A and mpox.
“All of that follows what we traditionally look at in mass gathering events,” Katz noted.”
“One of the Georgetown center’s primary goals is proactive communication in case of outbreaks.
If the team detects a health risk in one host city, they immediately notify officials in the next city on the travel itinerary for those fanbases. This allows local hospitals to prepare for specific illnesses before a wave of travelers arrives.
“If New York is seeing something, and we know the fan base is traveling from New York to Seattle for the next game, then we’ll connect the data of what we saw in New York to the Seattle jurisdiction so they can prepare,” Katz said.
The center also provides country profiles to host cities, detailing diseases prevalent in the home nations of visiting teams. This helps local officials understand specific risks, such as whether a visiting team’s home base has a history of dengue, and whether the local environment in the United States might support the mosquitoes that carry it.” (3)
“Travelers at the often bustling international terminal at San Francisco Airport may have been exposed to the highly contagious measles virus days before the start of the World Cup, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The department warned that a person with measles traveled through multiple areas of SFO on June 8, including the international terminal, passport control, customs and the baggage claim area between 8:30 and 11 a.m. On the same day, between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m., the individual also visited two markets in San Jose: a Trader Joe’s store at 635 Coleman Ave. and International Halal Market at 960 E. Santa Clara St.”
“Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said health departments are watching cities hosting World Cup events closely to look for any signs of disease outbreaks that could spread as fans and teams travel for the games.
“As we looked at the World Cup events and wondered what infectious hazards might crop up, measles was at the top of the list,” Schaffner told SFGATE. “It is the most contagious virus.””
“Measles generally incubates between eight and 14 days, although it can incubate as long as 21 days. Dr. Matt Willis, the former officer for the Marin County Public Health, said due to the relatively long incubation time, it can take up to 42 days before health officials know for certain no one else was infected. In this case, however, Willis said it’s likely no new cases will appear if none are detected in the next 21 days.
“It is a little bit of a white-knuckle ride, when … you know large numbers of people in your community have been exposed,” he said.” (4)
“The risk that a traveler infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament that kicked off last week is low but not zero, and if that happens, U.S. hospitals are ready to respond, U.S. infectious disease experts say.
It wasn’t always so.
During the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, arrived in a Dallas hospital with Ebola symptoms and was turned away before being admitted.
Two nurses were infected but survived.
That led to $260 million in U.S. funding for Ebola preparedness training and response capabilities and 13 specialized treatment centers – all intended to help hospitals identify, isolate and safely care for suspected Ebola patients.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization have all described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, citing measles, COVID-19 and influenza – which spread when large crowds gather – as the most likely threats.
But the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has infected more than 675 people and killed more than 135 remains a concern.
“The risk of Ebola to anyone at the World Cup is extremely low. Ebola isn’t airborne and doesn’t spread through casual contact — it requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC.
“But low isn’t zero, and it won’t be zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in DRC.” (5)
“The 2026 World Cup will be played during the hottest months of the year in an environment that is significantly warmer than it was when the U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1994. The conditions facing players, fans, and workers are not just a challenge for this year’s matches — they are a preview of how climate change is reshaping sports and outdoor activities globally.
A recent NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament’s 104 matches face a high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions. Some of the matches at greatest risk include marquee events such as the World Cup final and the third-place match. Climate experts have reached similar conclusions: an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that roughly one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions that pose elevated health risks to players and spectators. Five matches could face conditions severe enough to warrant postponement under international heat-safety guidelines.
These findings are consistent with a broader trend. Climate Central recently reported that extreme heat has increased across nearly every World Cup host city compared to previous decades. In some locations, extremely hot summer days occur several times more often than they did when earlier tournaments were held.
The reason is clear: Our planet is getting hotter. As healthcare providers, we see how heat turns quickly from discomfort into medical risk.” (6)
1.The behind-the-scenes work of protecting World Cup fans from infectious diseases, Meghan Holohan, https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/behind-scenes-work-protecting-world-cup-fans-infectious-diseases
2.World Cup 2026: Six million fans, three countries and a team racing to stop outbreaks, By Marta Iraola Iribarren, https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/06/16/world-cup-2026-six-million-fans-three-countries-and-a-team-racing-to-stop-outbreaks
3.Health ‘War Room,’ Digital Tools Are Tracking Disease Risks During World Cup, https://www.vaccineadvisor.com/news/health-war-room-digital-tools-are-tracking-disease-risks-during-world-cup/
4.Measles case detected at SFO days before World Cup start, By Gillian Mohney, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/sfo-measles-world-cup-22305735.php
5.Ebola risk for World Cup is ‘extremely low’, but US is ready, experts say, By Julie Steenhuysen, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ebola-risk-world-cup-is-extremely-low-us-is-ready-experts-say-2026-06-15/
6.The World Cup Is a Celebration of Sport. It’s Also a Warning About Climate Change., by Rose Jones and Nicholas Snow, https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/climate-checkup/121730
curated by Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H.
Clinical Professor of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
JONATHAN M. METSCH, Dr.P.H. – Tracking Emerging Public Health Challenges – June 16, 2026 – World Cup
““Preparedness is something that’s always going on,” said Kuppalli, co-director of the Texas hotline. “The point of preparedness is making sure that we can quickly identify patients who may have particular diseases, make sure they get the appropriate care and that we implement the appropriate infection prevention control measures.””
“While cities and regions have prepared, there are concerns that the extra fans could overwhelm local hospitals.
“The more people that are in your city, the more the pressure there’s going to be on your healthcare facilities,” Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said. “Not necessarily because of infectious diseases that are spreading but just the fact that there’s more people. There’s going to be more sprained ankles, more belly pain, more heart attacks.”
Bernard Camins, MD, an infectious disease doctor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noted that the New York City Department of Health asked hospital systems about their capacity and preparedness in the unlikely event of bioterrorism during the World Cup. He believes Mount Sinai is ready.
“It’s ingrained in our emergency department in terms of diseases of high consequence, like measles, because we do have potential exposures,” he said. “We’ve been preparing the entire time for things like that.”” (1)
“Millions of fans have been gathering from all over the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. One of the most significant threats may not be found on the field, but in the weather forecast. Extreme heat, humidity and prolonged outdoor exposure for both fans and players could put individuals at risk for a range of heat-related illnesses; including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The games across 16 cities will be played in some of the hottest months of the year; June and July. Many of the games will have temperatures in the 80s and 90 degrees Fahrenheit range, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees F in some cases. This level of heat poses health risks for players and fans enjoying the festivities.
Heat illnesses occur when the body’s cooling mechanisms get overwhelmed from severe heat and humidity. Normally, sweat helps cool the body as it evaporates. However, with high temperatures and humidity, the body sweat does not evaporate effectively, making heat dissipation less effective. In addition, with excess sweating, the body loses water and fluids, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the skin to keep it cool.”
“Any young, healthy individual can get any of these heat-related illnesses, particularly when exposed to high temperatures in humid areas for prolonged periods of time. This includes nearly all players and spectators at the World Cup. Those more likely to suffer from heat related illnesses include young children, the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant females because these individuals can have difficulty regulating their body temperatures or may not be able to retain enough fluids to stay hydrated.” (2)
“The team publishes a daily situation report flagging any new developments and identifying which national teams may face higher risks based on the location of their base camp or upcoming matches.
Some pathogens under surveillance are common to any large gathering of people, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
However, others are more specific to the region hosting the tournament.
“We monitor a bunch of different pathogens, but I will say the top of mind right now is measles. We certainly have seen cases in the US, Canada, and Mexico,” Katz said, adding that the team is watching the situation “quite carefully” given reports in some jurisdictions where games are planned or national teams are based.
Other pathogens being monitored include dengue, hepatitis A and mpox.
“All of that follows what we traditionally look at in mass gathering events,” Katz noted.”
“One of the Georgetown center’s primary goals is proactive communication in case of outbreaks.
If the team detects a health risk in one host city, they immediately notify officials in the next city on the travel itinerary for those fanbases. This allows local hospitals to prepare for specific illnesses before a wave of travelers arrives.
“If New York is seeing something, and we know the fan base is traveling from New York to Seattle for the next game, then we’ll connect the data of what we saw in New York to the Seattle jurisdiction so they can prepare,” Katz said.
The center also provides country profiles to host cities, detailing diseases prevalent in the home nations of visiting teams. This helps local officials understand specific risks, such as whether a visiting team’s home base has a history of dengue, and whether the local environment in the United States might support the mosquitoes that carry it.” (3)
“Travelers at the often bustling international terminal at San Francisco Airport may have been exposed to the highly contagious measles virus days before the start of the World Cup, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The department warned that a person with measles traveled through multiple areas of SFO on June 8, including the international terminal, passport control, customs and the baggage claim area between 8:30 and 11 a.m. On the same day, between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m., the individual also visited two markets in San Jose: a Trader Joe’s store at 635 Coleman Ave. and International Halal Market at 960 E. Santa Clara St.”
“Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said health departments are watching cities hosting World Cup events closely to look for any signs of disease outbreaks that could spread as fans and teams travel for the games.
“As we looked at the World Cup events and wondered what infectious hazards might crop up, measles was at the top of the list,” Schaffner told SFGATE. “It is the most contagious virus.””
“Measles generally incubates between eight and 14 days, although it can incubate as long as 21 days. Dr. Matt Willis, the former officer for the Marin County Public Health, said due to the relatively long incubation time, it can take up to 42 days before health officials know for certain no one else was infected. In this case, however, Willis said it’s likely no new cases will appear if none are detected in the next 21 days.
“It is a little bit of a white-knuckle ride, when … you know large numbers of people in your community have been exposed,” he said.” (4)
“The risk that a traveler infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament that kicked off last week is low but not zero, and if that happens, U.S. hospitals are ready to respond, U.S. infectious disease experts say.
It wasn’t always so.
During the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, arrived in a Dallas hospital with Ebola symptoms and was turned away before being admitted.
Two nurses were infected but survived.
That led to $260 million in U.S. funding for Ebola preparedness training and response capabilities and 13 specialized treatment centers – all intended to help hospitals identify, isolate and safely care for suspected Ebola patients.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization have all described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, citing measles, COVID-19 and influenza – which spread when large crowds gather – as the most likely threats.
But the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has infected more than 675 people and killed more than 135 remains a concern.
Tracking Emerging Public Health Challenges – June 16, 2026 – World Cup
““Preparedness is something that’s always going on,” said Kuppalli, co-director of the Texas hotline. “The point of preparedness is making sure that we can quickly identify patients who may have particular diseases, make sure they get the appropriate care and that we implement the appropriate infection prevention control measures.””
“While cities and regions have prepared, there are concerns that the extra fans could overwhelm local hospitals.
“The more people that are in your city, the more the pressure there’s going to be on your healthcare facilities,” Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said. “Not necessarily because of infectious diseases that are spreading but just the fact that there’s more people. There’s going to be more sprained ankles, more belly pain, more heart attacks.”
Bernard Camins, MD, an infectious disease doctor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noted that the New York City Department of Health asked hospital systems about their capacity and preparedness in the unlikely event of bioterrorism during the World Cup. He believes Mount Sinai is ready.
“It’s ingrained in our emergency department in terms of diseases of high consequence, like measles, because we do have potential exposures,” he said. “We’ve been preparing the entire time for things like that.”” (1)
“Millions of fans have been gathering from all over the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. One of the most significant threats may not be found on the field, but in the weather forecast. Extreme heat, humidity and prolonged outdoor exposure for both fans and players could put individuals at risk for a range of heat-related illnesses; including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The games across 16 cities will be played in some of the hottest months of the year; June and July. Many of the games will have temperatures in the 80s and 90 degrees Fahrenheit range, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees F in some cases. This level of heat poses health risks for players and fans enjoying the festivities.
Heat illnesses occur when the body’s cooling mechanisms get overwhelmed from severe heat and humidity. Normally, sweat helps cool the body as it evaporates. However, with high temperatures and humidity, the body sweat does not evaporate effectively, making heat dissipation less effective. In addition, with excess sweating, the body loses water and fluids, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the skin to keep it cool.”
“Any young, healthy individual can get any of these heat-related illnesses, particularly when exposed to high temperatures in humid areas for prolonged periods of time. This includes nearly all players and spectators at the World Cup. Those more likely to suffer from heat related illnesses include young children, the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions and pregnant females because these individuals can have difficulty regulating their body temperatures or may not be able to retain enough fluids to stay hydrated.” (2)
“The team publishes a daily situation report flagging any new developments and identifying which national teams may face higher risks based on the location of their base camp or upcoming matches.
Some pathogens under surveillance are common to any large gathering of people, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
However, others are more specific to the region hosting the tournament.
“We monitor a bunch of different pathogens, but I will say the top of mind right now is measles. We certainly have seen cases in the US, Canada, and Mexico,” Katz said, adding that the team is watching the situation “quite carefully” given reports in some jurisdictions where games are planned or national teams are based.
Other pathogens being monitored include dengue, hepatitis A and mpox.
“All of that follows what we traditionally look at in mass gathering events,” Katz noted.”
“One of the Georgetown center’s primary goals is proactive communication in case of outbreaks.
If the team detects a health risk in one host city, they immediately notify officials in the next city on the travel itinerary for those fanbases. This allows local hospitals to prepare for specific illnesses before a wave of travelers arrives.
“If New York is seeing something, and we know the fan base is traveling from New York to Seattle for the next game, then we’ll connect the data of what we saw in New York to the Seattle jurisdiction so they can prepare,” Katz said.
The center also provides country profiles to host cities, detailing diseases prevalent in the home nations of visiting teams. This helps local officials understand specific risks, such as whether a visiting team’s home base has a history of dengue, and whether the local environment in the United States might support the mosquitoes that carry it.” (3)
“Travelers at the often bustling international terminal at San Francisco Airport may have been exposed to the highly contagious measles virus days before the start of the World Cup, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The department warned that a person with measles traveled through multiple areas of SFO on June 8, including the international terminal, passport control, customs and the baggage claim area between 8:30 and 11 a.m. On the same day, between the hours of 8 and 10 p.m., the individual also visited two markets in San Jose: a Trader Joe’s store at 635 Coleman Ave. and International Halal Market at 960 E. Santa Clara St.”
“Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said health departments are watching cities hosting World Cup events closely to look for any signs of disease outbreaks that could spread as fans and teams travel for the games.
“As we looked at the World Cup events and wondered what infectious hazards might crop up, measles was at the top of the list,” Schaffner told SFGATE. “It is the most contagious virus.””
“Measles generally incubates between eight and 14 days, although it can incubate as long as 21 days. Dr. Matt Willis, the former officer for the Marin County Public Health, said due to the relatively long incubation time, it can take up to 42 days before health officials know for certain no one else was infected. In this case, however, Willis said it’s likely no new cases will appear if none are detected in the next 21 days.
“It is a little bit of a white-knuckle ride, when … you know large numbers of people in your community have been exposed,” he said.” (4)
“The risk that a traveler infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament that kicked off last week is low but not zero, and if that happens, U.S. hospitals are ready to respond, U.S. infectious disease experts say.
It wasn’t always so.
During the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, arrived in a Dallas hospital with Ebola symptoms and was turned away before being admitted.
Two nurses were infected but survived.
That led to $260 million in U.S. funding for Ebola preparedness training and response capabilities and 13 specialized treatment centers – all intended to help hospitals identify, isolate and safely care for suspected Ebola patients.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization have all described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, citing measles, COVID-19 and influenza – which spread when large crowds gather – as the most likely threats.
But the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has infected more than 675 people and killed more than 135 remains a concern.
“The risk of Ebola to anyone at the World Cup is extremely low. Ebola isn’t airborne and doesn’t spread through casual contact — it requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC.
“But low isn’t zero, and it won’t be zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in DRC.” (5)
“The 2026 World Cup will be played during the hottest months of the year in an environment that is significantly warmer than it was when the U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1994. The conditions facing players, fans, and workers are not just a challenge for this year’s matches — they are a preview of how climate change is reshaping sports and outdoor activities globally.
A recent NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament’s 104 matches face a high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions. Some of the matches at greatest risk include marquee events such as the World Cup final and the third-place match. Climate experts have reached similar conclusions: an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that roughly one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions that pose elevated health risks to players and spectators. Five matches could face conditions severe enough to warrant postponement under international heat-safety guidelines.
These findings are consistent with a broader trend. Climate Central recently reported that extreme heat has increased across nearly every World Cup host city compared to previous decades. In some locations, extremely hot summer days occur several times more often than they did when earlier tournaments were held.
The reason is clear: Our planet is getting hotter. As healthcare providers, we see how heat turns quickly from discomfort into medical risk.” (6)
1.The behind-the-scenes work of protecting World Cup fans from infectious diseases, Meghan Holohan, https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/behind-scenes-work-protecting-world-cup-fans-infectious-diseases
2.World Cup 2026: Six million fans, three countries and a team racing to stop outbreaks, By Marta Iraola Iribarren, https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/06/16/world-cup-2026-six-million-fans-three-countries-and-a-team-racing-to-stop-outbreaks
3.Health ‘War Room,’ Digital Tools Are Tracking Disease Risks During World Cup, https://www.vaccineadvisor.com/news/health-war-room-digital-tools-are-tracking-disease-risks-during-world-cup/
4.Measles case detected at SFO days before World Cup start, By Gillian Mohney, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/sfo-measles-world-cup-22305735.php
5.Ebola risk for World Cup is ‘extremely low’, but US is ready, experts say, By Julie Steenhuysen, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ebola-risk-world-cup-is-extremely-low-us-is-ready-experts-say-2026-06-15/
6.The World Cup Is a Celebration of Sport. It’s Also a Warning About Climate Change., by Rose Jones and Nicholas Snow, https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/climate-checkup/121730
curated by Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H.
Clinical Professor of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
jonathanmetsch@gmail.comEbola isn’t airborne and doesn’t spread through casual contact — it requires direct contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, chief executive of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC.
“But low isn’t zero, and it won’t be zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in DRC.” (5)
“The 2026 World Cup will be played during the hottest months of the year in an environment that is significantly warmer than it was when the U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1994. The conditions facing players, fans, and workers are not just a challenge for this year’s matches — they are a preview of how climate change is reshaping sports and outdoor activities globally.
A recent NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament’s 104 matches face a high risk of dangerously hot and humid conditions. Some of the matches at greatest risk include marquee events such as the World Cup final and the third-place match. Climate experts have reached similar conclusions: an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that roughly one-quarter of World Cup matches could be played under conditions that pose elevated health risks to players and spectators. Five matches could face conditions severe enough to warrant postponement under international heat-safety guidelines.
These findings are consistent with a broader trend. Climate Central recently reported that extreme heat has increased across nearly every World Cup host city compared to previous decades. In some locations, extremely hot summer days occur several times more often than they did when earlier tournaments were held.
The reason is clear: Our planet is getting hotter. As healthcare providers, we see how heat turns quickly from discomfort into medical risk.” (6)
1.The behind-the-scenes work of protecting World Cup fans from infectious diseases, Meghan Holohan, https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/behind-scenes-work-protecting-world-cup-fans-infectious-diseases
2.World Cup 2026: Six million fans, three countries and a team racing to stop outbreaks, By Marta Iraola Iribarren, https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/06/16/world-cup-2026-six-million-fans-three-countries-and-a-team-racing-to-stop-outbreaks
3.Health ‘War Room,’ Digital Tools Are Tracking Disease Risks During World Cup, https://www.vaccineadvisor.com/news/health-war-room-digital-tools-are-tracking-disease-risks-during-world-cup/
4.Measles case detected at SFO days before World Cup start, By Gillian Mohney, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/sfo-measles-world-cup-22305735.php
5.Ebola risk for World Cup is ‘extremely low’, but US is ready, experts say, By Julie Steenhuysen, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ebola-risk-world-cup-is-extremely-low-us-is-ready-experts-say-2026-06-15/
6.The World Cup Is a Celebration of Sport. It’s Also a Warning About Climate Change., by Rose Jones and Nicholas Snow, https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/climate-checkup/121730
curated by Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H.
Clinical Professor of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai