Enhance surveillance and reporting systems for emerging infectious diseases to ensure timely response.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to rising COVID-19 activity, ongoing avian flu cases, and new MERS and Ebola outbreaks, compounded by vaccine misinformation and public distrust.
September 17, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for September 17, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, as indicated by peaking levels in the US and increased vaccine access efforts. Concurrently, avian flu (H5N1) cases are spreading in various regions, including the UK and Cambodia, posing a potential zoonotic threat. MERS cases in Saudi Arabia and an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo further contribute to the heightened risk. Public health responses are challenged by misinformation and low confidence in vaccine policies, which could hinder effective disease control. These factors collectively elevate the pandemic threat level to high, necessitating vigilant monitoring and robust public health interventions.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Intensify public health campaigns to counter vaccine misinformation and improve public confidence in vaccination programs.
Prioritize vaccination and antiviral treatments for high-risk populations to mitigate severe outcomes.
Coordinate global efforts to address cross-border outbreaks of diseases like avian flu and MERS.
Accelerate the development and distribution of universal vaccines to prepare for future pandemics.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Illinois, Arizona, Virginia issue orders to improve COVID vaccine access
- US COVID levels may be peaking, CDC data show
- US COVID activity gains more steam
- Cambodia announces 15th human H5N1 infection of the year
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster
- DR Congo declares Ebola outbreak in Kasai province
- Two fatal probable cases reported in Uganda's Ebola Sudan outbreak