Increase funding and resources for Ebola containment efforts in DR Congo and Uganda.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
The current pandemic risk is high due to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda declared a global health emergency, alongside ongoing challenges with COVID-19, avian flu, and misinformation affecting vaccine uptake.
May 18, 2026
Trend
Viewing the record for May 18, 2026 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The declaration of the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda as a global health emergency by the WHO highlights the severity of the situation and the potential for international spread. Concurrently, the persistence of COVID-19, with new variants and ongoing transmission in high-density settings, continues to pose a significant threat. Additionally, avian flu outbreaks in poultry and wildlife, as well as misinformation impacting vaccine confidence, exacerbate the global pandemic risk. These factors, combined with the potential for zoonotic spillover and the emergence of new pathogens, underscore the need for robust surveillance and response mechanisms.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases globally.
Educate the public on the importance of vaccination and counter misinformation.
Support community engagement and health education initiatives in affected regions.
Accelerate research on vaccines and treatments for Ebola and other high-risk pathogens.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Recent pandemic viruses, including SAR-CoV-2, spread directly to people without adaptation, researchers say
- Vaccine skepticism now the norm for many Americans
- WHO declares global health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda Publisher: Las Vegas Review-Journal
- WHO declares global health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda Publisher: AP News
- DRC struggling to contain Ebola outbreak as cases spread Publisher: Al Jazeera