Pandemics

The current pandemic risk is influenced by several factors: a resurgence in flu and RSV cases in the US and Europe, significant avian flu outbreaks across multiple states, and ongoing challenges with COVID-19, including long-COVID symptoms and vaccine hesitancy. Despite the availability of effective COVID-19 vaccines, uptake remains low among older adults, and misinformation continues to impact public health efforts. Additionally, the emergence of new coronavirus subspecies and persistent MERS cases in the Middle East highlight the ongoing threat of novel pathogens. These factors, combined with the potential for misinformation and political influences on vaccine uptake, contribute to a moderate risk level.