Enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is elevated due to ongoing infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Legionnaires', and avian flu, compounded by challenges in public health response and vaccine policy.
July 7, 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 outbreaks, such as Ebola in DR Congo and Legionnaires' disease in New York, which highlight the persistent threat of emerging pathogens. The spread of avian flu in various regions and the detection of new coronavirus subspecies further underscore the potential for widespread transmission. Despite advancements in vaccine development and deployment, public health systems face significant challenges, including misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and policy gaps, which hinder effective outbreak management and risk mitigation. These factors collectively contribute to a heightened pandemic risk level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Increase public awareness and education on the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures.
Support community-based health initiatives to improve vaccine uptake and trust in public health guidance.
Accelerate the development and distribution of vaccines for high-risk pathogens, including avian flu and MERS.
Promote accurate information and counter misinformation regarding infectious diseases and vaccines.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- H9N2 avian flu case in China and first H5N1 detection in Australian birds Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published June 23, 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
- 95% of CDC workers say Americans will die because of federal cuts to the agency Publisher: CIDRAP Anti‑Science Published June 11, 2026
- NYC's Upper East Side experiencing cluster of Legionnaires' with at least 18 cases Publisher: ABC7 New York Published July 6, 2026