Increase funding and support for public health campaigns to improve vaccine uptake and counter misinformation.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to increasing COVID-19 activity, ongoing avian flu cases, and new MERS infections, compounded by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
August 14, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for August 14, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The resurgence of COVID-19 activity in the US, coupled with the ongoing spread of avian flu (H5N1) and new MERS cases in Saudi Arabia, indicates a high level of infectious disease threat. The disruption in routine vaccinations and vaccine hesitancy, as evidenced by the low uptake of COVID-19 boosters and misinformation, further exacerbate the risk. Additionally, the financial and health impacts of long COVID continue to strain healthcare systems. These factors, alongside the potential for misinformation to undermine public health efforts, contribute to a heightened risk of widespread outbreaks.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and reporting systems for rapid detection and response to emerging infectious diseases.
Provide resources and support to communities disproportionately affected by long COVID and other infectious diseases.
Accelerate development and deployment of vaccines and treatments for emerging pathogens like MERS and avian flu.
Strengthen international collaboration to monitor and control cross-border disease transmission.
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
- Disadvantaged COVID survivors at over twice the risk for long-term symptoms, researchers say
- Combo antiviral treatment benefits high-risk patients battling severe flu
- Cambodia announces 15th human H5N1 infection of the year
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster