Moderate Risk: Today's pandemic risk is moderate, with concerns over COVID-19 variants, vaccine hesitancy, and avian flu outbreaks contributing to the threat level.
The current pandemic risk is influenced by the emergence of new COVID-19 variants such as NB.1.8.1, ongoing vaccine hesitancy exacerbated by political decisions and misinformation, and the rising threat of avian flu with cases reported in multiple regions. Despite the availability of vaccines and treatments, gaps in public health infrastructure, as highlighted by the GAO's call for improvements in infectious-disease testing, and the erosion of trust in health agencies pose significant challenges. Additionally, the reactivation of cytomegalovirus in COVID-19 patients and the persistence of long COVID symptoms indicate ongoing health burdens. These factors, combined with the potential for zoonotic spillover from avian flu, underscore a need for vigilance and improved public health responses.
[Government] Strengthen surveillance and testing infrastructure for infectious diseases to quickly identify and respond to outbreaks.
[Public Health Agencies] Enhance communication strategies to rebuild trust and counter misinformation about vaccines and public health measures.
[Healthcare Providers] Increase monitoring and support for long COVID patients to manage ongoing health impacts.
[NGOs] Advocate for continued funding and support for vaccine research and distribution, particularly in underserved communities.
[International Organizations] Coordinate global efforts to monitor and control avian flu and other zoonotic diseases to prevent spillover events.