Enhance public health communication strategies to counter misinformation about vaccines.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Current infectious disease threats are high due to rising COVID-19 levels, vaccine misinformation, and multiple outbreaks of avian flu and MERS.
September 9, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for September 9, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The global pandemic risk is elevated due to several concurrent factors: rising COVID-19 levels in the US, significant vaccine misinformation and policy confusion, and ongoing outbreaks of avian flu and MERS in multiple regions. The CDC's internal upheaval and the spread of misinformation could hinder effective public health responses. Additionally, the emergence of new cases of avian flu and MERS, along with the potential for these diseases to spread, contribute to the heightened risk. Vaccine access and misinformation remain critical issues, impacting the ability to control these outbreaks effectively.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Increase efforts to ensure widespread access to COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
Monitor and provide support for regions experiencing avian flu and MERS outbreaks.
Accelerate research on antiviral treatments and vaccines for emerging infectious diseases.
Strengthen surveillance systems to quickly identify and respond to new outbreaks.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- CDC upheaval triggers global concern amid ongoing US vaccine policy debate
- US COVID levels may be peaking, CDC data show
- Three states take steps to ensure COVID vaccine access
- US COVID-19 levels continue to climb gradually
- US COVID activity gains more steam
- H5N1 avian flu strikes South Dakota turkey farm
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster
- WHO reports 4 more MERS cases from Saudi Arabia
- WHO shares more DR Congo Ebola outbreak details as more suspected cases reported
- DR Congo declares Ebola outbreak in Kasai province