Increase funding and support for vaccine education and outreach programs to combat misinformation and improve vaccine uptake.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to increasing COVID-19 activity, emerging infectious diseases like chikungunya and H5N1, and significant vaccine hesitancy.
August 11, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for August 11, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the US, alongside the emergence of other infectious diseases such as chikungunya in China and H5N1 avian flu in Cambodia. These developments are compounded by a concerning level of vaccine hesitancy, as evidenced by a significant portion of the US population planning to skip COVID-19 boosters, and misinformation surrounding vaccines. Additionally, the cessation of work on mRNA vaccine platforms by HHS could hinder future pandemic preparedness. Surveillance tools like wastewater monitoring are proving effective in predicting outbreaks, but the overall public health response is challenged by misinformation and reduced vaccine uptake, increasing the risk of widespread outbreaks.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases, focusing on areas with rising cases.
Encourage patients, especially high-risk groups, to receive recommended vaccinations and boosters to prevent severe disease outcomes.
Partner with local communities to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation through culturally appropriate communication strategies.
Accelerate the development and deployment of new vaccines and therapeutics for emerging infectious diseases.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- US COVID activity gains more steam
- KFF poll shows most Americans plan to skip fall COVID booster
- Cambodia announces 15th human H5N1 infection of the year
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster
- World Health Assembly adopts Pandemic Agreement, ups funding for WHO
- Chikungunya outbreak in China Publisher: KUOW
- 7,000 Sickened From Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in China as Officials Scramble to Prevent Further Spread Publisher: People.com