Increase funding and resources for Ebola containment and treatment efforts in affected regions.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is high due to escalating Ebola outbreaks in Africa, persistent avian flu cases, and ongoing challenges with COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation.
June 15, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by several concerning developments: the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is expanding, with nearly 1,000 cases reported, posing a significant threat due to its high mortality rate and potential for cross-border spread. Concurrently, avian flu continues to affect poultry and wildlife, with new cases reported in the US and China, highlighting the risk of zoonotic transmission. Additionally, the persistence of COVID-19, compounded by vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, especially among vulnerable populations, undermines public health efforts. These factors, combined with the potential for misinformation to erode trust in public health guidance, contribute to a heightened pandemic risk level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and reporting systems for avian flu and other zoonotic diseases to prevent cross-species transmission.
Strengthen communication strategies to counter vaccine misinformation and improve public trust in vaccination programs.
Coordinate cross-border health initiatives to manage and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases like Ebola and avian flu.
Engage with local populations to promote accurate health information and encourage vaccination uptake.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Survey highlights greater burden of long COVID in Native Americans Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 8, 2026
- How physicians are rethinking vaccine conversations in an age of doubt Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 4, 2026
- Recent pandemic viruses, including SAR-CoV-2, spread directly to people without adaptation, researchers say Publisher: CIDRAP Influenza (General) Published March 10, 2026
- Avian flu hits 4 US poultry farms, polar bear on Norway island Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published May 21, 2026
- WHO reports H5N1 death among variant zoonotic flu cases seen this year Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published April 29, 2026
- Ebola outbreak in DR Congo expands into large displacement camp Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published June 12, 2026
- Ebola cases near 1,000 as world scrambles to contain outbreak Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published May 27, 2026
- DR Congo Ebola outbreak reaches nearly 750 suspected cases, 177 deaths as area risk upgraded to ‘very high’ Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published May 22, 2026