Increase funding and support for vaccine distribution and public health campaigns to counteract misinformation.
Pandemics
Viewed record
High Risk
History
338 daily observations
Method
Curated sources and AI scoring
Pandemics Risk
4.2 / 5
High Risk
+0.0 from previous reading
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to increasing COVID-19 activity, new polio and measles outbreaks, and ongoing challenges with vaccine deployment and misinformation.
Record date
August 16, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for August 16, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The global health landscape is currently marked by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the US, alongside new outbreaks of polio in multiple countries and measles in North America. These developments are compounded by issues in vaccine deployment, such as the potential non-reauthorization of Pfizer's COVID vaccine for young children and widespread vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, misinformation continues to undermine public health efforts, as seen in the declining trust in vaccines and public health institutions. The combination of these factors, along with the emergence of other infectious diseases like H5N1 and MERS, underscores a heightened risk of pandemic spread and necessitates urgent, coordinated global responses.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and testing for COVID-19, polio, and measles to quickly identify and contain outbreaks.
Launch educational initiatives to improve public understanding and trust in vaccines and health advisories.
Facilitate cross-border cooperation to manage and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.
Accelerate research on effective vaccine strategies 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: US COVID rise, at-home FluMist launch, polio in 4 countries
- KFF poll shows most Americans plan to skip fall COVID booster
- Quick Takes: US COVID uptick, new polio cases in 4 countries, measles outbreak in Michigan
- Measles outbreak worsens in North America, 18 dead so far this year, PAHO says Publisher: The Mighty 790 KFGO
- Measles Outbreak Worsens in North America, 18 Dead So Far This Year, PAHO Says Publisher: U.S. News & World Report