Increase funding for public health campaigns to promote vaccination and counter misinformation.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Rising cases of flu, RSV, and measles, coupled with vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, elevate the pandemic risk level.
December 16, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for December 16, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by an increase in flu and RSV activity in the US and Europe, as well as significant measles outbreaks, indicating a heightened risk of infectious disease spread. Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, particularly surrounding COVID-19 vaccines, further complicate public health efforts. While vaccines are effective in reducing severe outcomes, the declining vaccination rates and public distrust in health agencies pose challenges in controlling these outbreaks. Additionally, the emergence of new avian flu strains and the persistence of MERS cases highlight ongoing surveillance and response needs.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and reporting systems for early detection and response to outbreaks.
Collaborate internationally to monitor and address cross-border disease threats like avian flu and MERS.
Support community-based initiatives to improve vaccine confidence and accessibility.
Continue developing and testing new vaccines and treatments for emerging infectious diseases.
Sources Monitored
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Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Flu, RSV activity rising in US and Europe, with major UK surge in flu cases
- Fewer people are being vaccinated against respiratory diseases
- US measles outbreak tops 1,800 cases as respiratory illness surveillance returns
- Surveys find strong confidence in childhood vaccines but deepening partisan divides; most adults reject COVID shot
- US COVID, flu, and RSV levels low but rising in many regions
- First ever human case of H5N5 avian flu confirmed in Washington state
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster