Increase funding for vaccine education campaigns to combat misinformation and improve public confidence in vaccines.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of avian flu, MERS, and other infectious diseases, compounded by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
November 21, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for November 21, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by multiple infectious disease threats, including avian flu outbreaks in the US and MERS cases in Saudi Arabia, which highlight the potential for cross-species transmission and the emergence of new pathogens. Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant issue, particularly for COVID-19, as misinformation and partisan divides undermine public health efforts. While there are advancements in vaccine development, such as the universal flu vaccine and mRNA platforms, the effectiveness of these measures is contingent upon widespread public acceptance and deployment. Additionally, the detection of new coronavirus subspecies in bats and the ongoing risk of diseases like Ebola and dengue fever further complicate the global health response, necessitating vigilant surveillance and coordinated international efforts.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases, particularly in high-risk regions.
Facilitate global cooperation in vaccine distribution and pandemic preparedness to ensure equitable access to resources.
Strengthen communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and provide clear, evidence-based information to the public.
Accelerate research on zoonotic diseases and develop strategies to mitigate the risk of cross-species transmission.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- New coronavirus subspecies with SARS-CoV-2–like mutation discovered in Brazilian bat
- Quick takes: More flu deaths in US kids, new chikungunya cases in France and Italy, new polio cases in 5 countries
- First ever human case of H5N5 avian flu confirmed in Washington state
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster
- Surveys find strong confidence in childhood vaccines but deepening partisan divides; most adults reject COVID shot