Increase funding and resources for public health surveillance and response to emerging outbreaks.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to increasing COVID-19 activity, new polio and measles outbreaks, and the spread of avian flu and MERS.
August 18, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for August 18, 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 in the US, alongside new polio cases in multiple countries and a worsening measles outbreak in North America. Additionally, the spread of avian flu (H5N1) and MERS in various regions highlights the ongoing threat of zoonotic diseases. These factors, combined with challenges in vaccine uptake and misinformation, underscore a high risk of infectious disease spread. Surveillance gaps and public health system strains further exacerbate the situation, necessitating heightened vigilance and response efforts.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance vaccination campaigns and address vaccine hesitancy through community engagement and education.
Coordinate global efforts to monitor and contain zoonotic diseases such as avian flu and MERS.
Combat misinformation by disseminating accurate information about vaccines and disease prevention.
Accelerate research on vaccine development and distribution strategies 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
- US COVID activity gains more steam
- Quick Takes: US COVID uptick, new polio cases in 4 countries, measles outbreak in Michigan
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster
- WHO notes 4 new MERS cases, 2 fatal, in Saudi Arabia since September
- Measles outbreak worsens in North America, 18 dead so far this year, PAHO says Publisher: Red Lake Nation News
- 40 deaths from Sudan cholera outbreak in 1 week, says MSF Publisher: DW