As the World Cup kicks off, health officials are on high alert for potential disease outbreaks, particularly measles, which has already seen a significant number of cases in the US this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 2,000 cases of measles in the US, nearly as many as were reported in all of last year.

Local Health Officials Prepare for Potential Outbreaks

In Dallas, officials have ramped up wastewater screening, including at the international airport, to detect potential disease outbreaks early. Dr. Phil Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, said his team is also enhancing mosquito testing to check for viruses such as dengue and chikungunya.

Meanwhile, a joint effort between Georgetown University and MedStar Health has established a Health Security Operations Center to analyze data and alert health authorities to potential disease outbreaks. The center is issuing daily “situation reports” on disease trends around World Cup host cities and team base camps.

Experts stress that while the risk of Ebola spreading in the US is low, the risk of measles and other infectious diseases is higher due to the large crowds gathering for the World Cup. “This is truly a marathon,” said Palak Raval-Nelson, Philadelphia’s health commissioner.

Preparations and Precautions

Health officials have been preparing for months, including conducting mock emergency drills and communicating with counterparts around the country. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has also issued a warning about the risk of measles outbreaks during the World Cup, urging soccer fans to ensure they are vaccinated.

While the risk of disease outbreaks is a concern, health officials are working to balance caution with the need to avoid unnecessary alarm. “We’re trying to be the insurance policy,” said Dr. Shane Kappler, a MedStar emergency medicine specialist.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.