Health Advisory: Preparing for World Cup and Related Increase in Travel

Disease Prevention and Control

Situational update

FIFA World Cup matches will take place across North America from June 11–July 19, 2026 and are estimated to draw 5–7 million international visitors to 11 U.S. cities. The Bay Area will host six matches at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara County from June 13–July 1.

Although San Francisco will not host matches, the city will host related events and expects an increase in domestic and international travelers, potentially increasing the risk of importing infectious diseases that are not common locally such as measles, typhoid, or tuberculosis; or are not prevalent in summer such as influenza (e.g. from the Southern Hemisphere). Other risks include heat illness and the potential threat of violence and bioterrorism. There is also an ongoing large Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. To date, no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak have been reported in the U.S., and risk to the general public is low.

Healthcare systems should be prepared to address a surge in seasonal illnesses, high-consequence infections such as measles or viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), and event-related illnesses such as injuries, foodborne outbreaks, and heat stress. Timely diagnosis, reporting of potential outbreaks, and effective infection control practices are critical for preventing additional transmission.

Actions requested of SF clinicians during June and July 2026:

  • Routinely ask and document patients’ recent travel history (both international and domestic).
  • Routinely ask and document attendance at World Cup matches and associated gatherings, especially when multiple patients present with similar disease syndromes.
  • Expand differential diagnoses to consider diseases not common locally (e.g. seasonal influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid, arboviral diseases, leishmaniasis, brucellosis, VHF) and bioterrorism agents (biological, chemical, or radiological).
  • Ensure appropriate infection control policies and practices to isolate patients with airborne illnesses (e.g. measles, TB) or high-consequence pathogens such as Ebola or other VHF until they can be transferred to a higher level of care.
  • Report any suspected or confirmed reportable diseases and conditions, clusters of disease, or presentations consistent with bioterrorism to SFDPH Communicable Disease (628-217-6100).

Travel health recommendations (measles, COVID-19, mpox, Ebola, and hantavirus)

  • Ensure that patients receive recommended vaccines prior to traveling.
    • Recommend that infants 6–11 months old who are traveling internationally, including to Canada and Mexico, or domestically to areas with measles transmission, receive an early MMR dose at least two weeks before departure.
    • Ensure that adults and children over 1 year have received two doses of MMR vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart, before similar travel.
  • Anticipate a summer uptick in COVID‑19.
    • Recommend a second 2025–26 covid vaccine for anyone 65 and older or immunocompromised, ideally 6 months after the first dose but as soon as 2 months if needed. Ensure travelers of all ages are up to date on covid vaccine.
    • Consider wearing well-fitted masks (e.g. KN95) in crowded indoor settings, including while traveling.
  • Anticipate a summer uptick in mpox.
    • Recommend JYNNEOS vaccination among persons at risk of mpox exposure. Ensure anyone at risk has received two doses, given summer Pride events and increases in summer travel.
  • Be aware of the ongoing Ebola outbreak (risk to U.S. is currently low).
    • SFDPH is monitoring travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan for symptoms of Ebola and coordinating with health systems to increase Ebola preparedness.
    • If clinicians encounter a patient with symptoms consistent with Ebola who has returned within the last 21 days from one of these three countries, immediately contact infection control and SFDPH Communicable Disease (628-217-6100).
    • All hospitals should maintain the capability to rapidly identify, isolate, and manage a suspected Ebola patient for at least 72 hours.
  • Be aware of endemic hantavirus.
    • There were no San Francisco residents among passengers of the MV Hondius cruise ship that experienced an Andes hantavirus outbreak.
    • Clinicians should remain aware of California’s endemic species of hantavirus, Sin Nombre virus, which is transmitted by exposure to rodent excreta.

To prevent transmission of communicable diseases, remind patients to:

  • Practice good hand hygiene, using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially before eating.
    • Note that hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus.
  • Avoid eating raw dairy, eggs, or meat products, as well as food items that have been at room temperature for ≥ 2 hours.
  • Stay home from school, summer camps, work, or events until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and other acute symptoms have resolved.

Additional Resources:

SFDPH Measles Information

SFDPH Mpox Information

CDPH Ebola Health Advisory (May 20, 2026)

Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDC

Program Contact Information

Communicable Disease Branch
Tel: (628) 217-6100 | Email: cdcontrol@sfdph.or (or immunization.dph@sfdph.org for immunization questions)

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch
Tel: (415) 802-7358 | Email: phepr.dph@sfdph.org

Population Health Division
San Francisco Department of Public Health

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