Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of various infectious diseases, including Ebola, avian flu, and parasitic infections, coupled with challenges in public health response and misinformation.
July 5, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by multiple concurrent infectious disease outbreaks, such as Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, avian flu in the US and China, and a significant parasitic infection outbreak in Michigan. These outbreaks highlight the persistent threat of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Despite advancements in vaccine technology and the development of new vaccines, public health systems face challenges in surveillance and response, exacerbated by misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, the economic and social impacts of long COVID continue to affect productivity and healthcare systems. These factors collectively contribute to a moderate pandemic risk, emphasizing the need for robust international cooperation and effective public health strategies.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Increase public awareness and education on the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures.
Support research and development of vaccines and therapeutics for neglected and emerging diseases.
Combat misinformation by providing accurate and evidence-based information on infectious diseases and vaccines.
Facilitate global collaboration and resource sharing to address cross-border health threats.
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
- Paper spotlights high healthcare burden and costs of long COVID Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published June 15, 2026
- Ebola outbreak spreads to 4th province in DR Congo Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published June 29, 2026
- Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda Publisher: World Health Organization (WHO) Published July 3, 2026
- A Parasite Outbreak Is Causing Explosive Diarrhea Across the U.S., and the Source Is Still Unknown Publisher: VICE Published July 3, 2026