Enhance surveillance and rapid response systems for emerging infectious diseases, including avian flu and Ebola.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of flu, avian flu, and Ebola, coupled with the challenges of long COVID and vaccine policy issues.
July 3, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by multiple infectious disease threats, including seasonal flu, avian flu, and Ebola, which continue to pose significant health risks. The persistence of long COVID and its associated complications further strain healthcare systems and workforce productivity. Vaccine policy challenges, such as the lack of ACIP quorum and diverging recommendations for pregnant women, highlight potential gaps in public health responsiveness. While vaccine safety and effectiveness are affirmed, misinformation and fluctuating trust in health authorities could hinder vaccine uptake. Additionally, emerging zoonotic diseases and the potential for new coronavirus variants underscore the need for vigilant surveillance and rapid response capabilities.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Increase public awareness and education efforts to improve vaccine confidence and address misinformation.
Strengthen support for long COVID research and management to mitigate its impact on public health and the economy.
Coordinate global efforts to address vaccine policy discrepancies and ensure equitable access to vaccines.
Accelerate the development of universal vaccines and innovative treatments using AI and other advanced technologies.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Workers with long COVID more likely to leave jobs, lose productivity Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 26, 2026
- Pandemic pathogens, dengue, cholera were world’s largest emerging infectious disease burdens from 2000 to 2022 Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 24, 2026
- Updated COVID vaccines cut risk of hospital care, heart complications, new data reveal Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 22, 2026
- Paper spotlights high healthcare burden and costs of long COVID Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 15, 2026
- The ‘diseases of crowds’ experts say could be at the World Cup Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 11, 2026
- Los Angeles County health department asks providers to watch for infectious diseases during World Cup Publisher: CIDRAP Influenza (General) Published June 2, 2026
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster Publisher: CIDRAP MERS‑CoV Published May 13, 2025
- Ebola outbreak spreads to 4th province in DR Congo Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published June 29, 2026
- More than 400 dead in Dr. Congo’s spreading Ebola outbreak Publisher: The Japan Times Published July 3, 2026