The Football Association has been alerted to a measles outbreak in the United States, with just two weeks remaining before the World Cup kicks off. England are set to begin their tournament against Croatia less than a week after the opening match.
FIFA has flagged the situation to all 48 participating nations, and England are reportedly monitoring the outbreak closely. The United States is on track for its worst measles outbreak in decades, raising concerns for the mass gathering event.
Professor Mark Jit of New York University warned that measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications. He noted that while two doses of the MMR vaccine offer strong protection, an infected person could spread the virus before symptoms appear.
The outbreak comes shortly after the Democratic Republic of Congo moved their pre-tournament training camp due to Ebola concerns. FIFA confirmed it is monitoring that situation and liaising with the DRC Football Association.
