Increase funding for genomic surveillance to track and respond to emerging COVID-19 variants.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing challenges with COVID-19 variants, avian flu, and public health trust issues.
July 12, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for July 12, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current pandemic risk is driven by several factors: the emergence of new COVID-19 variants like XFG and NB.1.8.1, ongoing H5N1 avian flu cases in multiple countries, and rising mistrust in public health institutions, which complicates vaccine uptake and policy adherence. While the FDA has approved a COVID vaccine for children under 12, misinformation and legal challenges to vaccine policies persist, potentially hindering effective public health responses. Additionally, the resurgence of diseases like polio and MERS in certain regions underscores the need for vigilant surveillance and international cooperation.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance communication strategies to rebuild trust and counter misinformation about vaccines.
Support global vaccination campaigns, particularly in regions with ongoing outbreaks of diseases like polio and avian flu.
Encourage adherence to updated vaccination guidelines and ensure accessibility for high-risk populations.
Accelerate development and trials of new vaccines and treatments for emerging infectious diseases.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Quick takes: More H5N1 in dairy cattle, US COVID wastewater uptick, polio in Pakistan
- WHO adds XFG to SARS-CoV-2 variants under monitoring
- New data underscore rise in CDC mistrust during pandemic
- Quick takes: More H5N1 in dairy cattle, US COVID wastewater uptick, polio in Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster