Increase funding and resources for Ebola outbreak containment and vaccine development.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
The current global pandemic risk is high due to escalating Ebola outbreaks in Africa, persistent COVID-19 challenges, and ongoing avian flu threats.
May 22, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is expanding, with fears of it becoming a significant pandemic, compounded by inadequate vaccine availability and funding cuts impacting response efforts. Concurrently, COVID-19 remains a concern with ongoing transmission and long COVID risks, despite effective vaccines. Avian flu continues to pose a threat with new cases in poultry and mammals, highlighting the potential for zoonotic spillover. These factors, alongside misinformation and vaccine skepticism, exacerbate the global public health landscape, necessitating heightened vigilance and response measures.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance global surveillance and response coordination for emerging infectious diseases.
Promote accurate vaccine information to counter misinformation and improve public trust.
Support community education and engagement in outbreak-affected regions to improve local response efforts.
Accelerate research on cross-protective vaccines and treatments for multiple pathogens.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- More California marine mammals confirmed to have H5N1 avian flu, as USDA tracks poultry outbreaks in Midwest Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published April 23, 2026
- WHO declares Ebola outbreak an emergency as CDC restricts travel, confirms US doctor infected Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published May 18, 2026
- Ebola outbreak reaches major cities in DR Congo, Uganda amid fears of regional spread Publisher: Mongabay Published May 21, 2026
- There is no Ebola vaccine for this outbreak and won’t be one soon. Here’s why. Publisher: The Washington Post Published May 21, 2026
- Myocarditis rates surged during COVID and stayed high, study suggests Publisher: CIDRAP Published May 21, 2026