Increase funding and resources for public health surveillance to quickly identify and respond to emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, flu, norovirus, and cyclospora, compounded by avian flu and MERS cases, despite advancements in vaccine safety and effectiveness.
July 17, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current pandemic risk is influenced by multiple concurrent outbreaks, including COVID-19, flu, norovirus, and cyclospora, which highlight the potential for widespread pathogen transmission. Avian flu cases in both humans and animals further complicate the situation. While there are advancements in vaccine safety and effectiveness, as well as promising developments in vaccine technology, gaps in public health surveillance and response, particularly in food safety systems, present ongoing challenges. Misinformation and declining trust in health authorities exacerbate these issues, potentially hindering effective public health responses.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance communication strategies to rebuild public trust in vaccines and health guidance, addressing misinformation proactively.
Support community education initiatives to improve awareness and understanding of food safety practices to prevent outbreaks like cyclospora.
Accelerate research and development of vaccines for emerging pathogens, leveraging new technologies like AI for rapid deployment.
Coordinate global efforts to monitor and control zoonotic diseases, such as avian flu, to prevent cross-border transmission.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- The Eaton wildfire evacuation shelter near LA saw outbreaks of norovirus, COVID, and flu, report reveals Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published July 10, 2026
- The Eaton wildfire evacuation shelter near LA saw outbreaks of norovirus, COVID, and flu, report reveals Publisher: CIDRAP Influenza (General) Published July 10, 2026
- Cambodia confirms human H5N1 avian flu case as H5N1 hits more Utah egg farms Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 16, 2026
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster Publisher: CIDRAP MERS‑CoV Published May 13, 2025
- White House addresses growing parasite outbreak after more than 400 Americans sickened Publisher: Fox News Published July 16, 2026