Increase funding for public health surveillance and emergency preparedness to address emerging infectious diseases.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, flu, and avian flu, compounded by emerging infectious diseases and public health challenges.
July 18, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current pandemic risk is driven by multiple factors: the persistence of COVID-19 and its long-term effects, as evidenced by studies on long COVID, and the ongoing spread of flu and avian flu in various regions. The Eaton wildfire shelter outbreak highlights vulnerabilities in emergency settings, while the spread of avian flu across poultry farms poses a risk to food security and zoonotic transmission. Additionally, misinformation and public distrust in health agencies continue to challenge effective public health responses. Despite advancements in vaccine safety and development, such as AI-driven innovations, gaps in surveillance and vaccine uptake remain critical issues.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance communication strategies to rebuild public trust in vaccines and counter misinformation.
Collaborate with local communities to improve vaccine outreach and education, particularly in underserved areas.
Accelerate research on long COVID and its impact on public health to inform policy and healthcare strategies.
Strengthen global cooperation to monitor and respond to zoonotic diseases and prevent cross-border outbreaks.
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
- H9N2 avian flu case in China and first H5N1 detection in Australian birds Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published June 23, 2026
- 95% of CDC workers say Americans will die because of federal cuts to the agency Publisher: CIDRAP Anti‑Science Published June 11, 2026