Experts cited in the report place measles above Ebola on the risk list. Its ease of transmission makes it better suited to a tournament built around dense crowds, international travel and prolonged indoor contact.
Craig Spencer of Brown University reportedly considers Ebola a remote threat in this setting. Jennifer Nuzzo, also cited, notes that Ebola generally requires contact with bodily fluids, reducing the likelihood of widespread transmission among travelling fans.
That does not remove the need for preparation. It puts the risks into proportion.
The planned response reportedly stretches well beyond monitoring confirmed infections. Teams are expected to examine wastewater, hospital admissions, emergency-room visits and social-media activity for early signs of unusual transmission.
Rebecca Katz of Georgetown University says public-health specialists are working at an unusually intense pace to identify troubling trends before they become emergencies. Wastewater testing could prove particularly valuable, with viral and bacterial material potentially detected before large numbers of patients arrive at hospitals.
The report also describes local authorities widening their focus to mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus, rather than concentrating on a single feared disease.
Detection is only half the job. Philadelphia health commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson reportedly describes the preparation as a public-health marathon, involving exercises, coordination and communication planning across borders.
For supporters, the goal should be reassurance backed by readiness-not alarm. A fast, clear message could help fans understand when vaccination, medical advice or changes to local guidance are necessary.
As the tournament approaches, the key storyline will be whether this surveillance network can turn early warning signs into decisive action without disrupting the global football celebration.