Increase funding and resources for flu and measles vaccination campaigns to improve coverage and prevent further outbreaks.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
The current pandemic risk is high due to rising flu, RSV, and measles cases, coupled with ongoing avian flu outbreaks and misinformation challenges.
February 1, 2026
Trend
Viewing the record for February 1, 2026 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in flu and RSV activity in the US and Europe, with a major surge in measles cases in South Carolina, suggesting gaps in vaccination coverage and public health response. Additionally, avian flu outbreaks in multiple states and misinformation regarding vaccines, as evidenced by appointments of vaccine opponents to advisory boards, exacerbate the risk. These factors, combined with the potential for new pathogen emergence and the ongoing threat of long COVID, underscore a high pandemic risk level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for avian flu and other emerging infectious diseases.
Educate the public on the importance of vaccinations and counter misinformation to build trust in vaccine safety and efficacy.
Collaborate with communities to address barriers to healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas.
Accelerate development and deployment of universal vaccines to mitigate the impact of multiple respiratory viruses.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- After 3-week decline, flu cases rise across the US; RSV, COVID activity high in certain states
- US respiratory virus activity reaches high levels as flu, RSV spread
- Flu, RSV activity rising in US and Europe, with major UK surge in flu cases
- Washington state officials confirm H5N5 avian flu patient has died from infection
- US measles cases soar to 588 so far this year as South Carolina confirms 58 new infections Publisher: CIDRAP