Implement targeted vaccination campaigns in areas with low vaccine coverage to curb measles spread.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is high due to ongoing measles and avian flu outbreaks, coupled with significant flu activity and vaccine hesitancy.
February 23, 2026
Trend
Viewing the record for February 23, 2026 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current landscape shows significant infectious disease threats, notably the widespread measles outbreaks in the US, which highlight gaps in vaccination coverage and public health response. Concurrently, avian flu continues to affect poultry and has potential zoonotic implications, while flu activity remains elevated, posing additional risks. Vaccine hesitancy, as evidenced by declining perceptions of vaccine safety, further complicates containment efforts. These factors collectively elevate the global pandemic risk, necessitating robust public health interventions and communication strategies to mitigate spread and improve vaccine uptake.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for avian flu to prevent zoonotic transmission.
Educate communities on the importance and safety of vaccines to combat misinformation and hesitancy.
Support outreach programs to increase flu and COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable populations.
Accelerate development and deployment of universal vaccines to address multiple strains of flu and other pathogens.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Flu claims 5 more US children’s lives as virus continues circulating at moderate to very high levels
- CDC reports 6 more child deaths from flu, as virus levels stay moderate to high
- CDC’s FluView shows 8 more pediatric deaths as flu activity drops
- Boston reports first pediatric flu deaths since 2013 as flu illness surges across US
- Pennsylvania deploys more resources to combat avian flu outbreaks at poultry farms Publisher: PhillyVoice
- Oregon health officials declare measles outbreak with five confirmed cases Publisher: Ashland News
- 2026 US measles total nears 1,000 as South Carolina confirms 11 new cases Publisher: CIDRAP
- Pennsylvania facing ‘unprecedented’ avian flu outbreak Publisher: Farm Progress
- South Carolina measles outbreak at 973 cases | AHA News Publisher: American Hospital Association
- Children are ‘sitting ducks’ in measles outbreak as dozens of schools block vaccination teams Publisher: The Independent