Increase funding for public health infrastructure to improve response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, avian flu, and cyclosporiasis, coupled with challenges in vaccine uptake and misinformation.
July 19, 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, including COVID-19, avian flu, and cyclosporiasis, which are exacerbated by gaps in public health responses and vaccine deployment. The persistence of COVID-19, with new findings on long COVID and its impact on health, continues to strain healthcare systems. Additionally, misinformation and public distrust in health guidance hinder effective vaccine uptake. The emergence of avian flu cases in various regions and the widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce further complicate the situation, highlighting vulnerabilities in food safety and zoonotic disease surveillance. These factors collectively contribute to a moderate pandemic risk level, necessitating vigilant monitoring and responsive public health measures.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance communication strategies to combat misinformation and improve public trust in vaccines and health guidelines.
Support community-based initiatives to increase awareness and preventive measures against foodborne and zoonotic diseases.
Accelerate research on long COVID and its treatments to mitigate long-term health impacts.
Implement robust surveillance systems for early detection and containment of infectious disease 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
- Cambodia confirms human H5N1 avian flu case as H5N1 hits more Utah egg farms Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 16, 2026
- Trump’s deep public health cuts hinder response to record US cyclosporiasis outbreak Publisher: The Guardian Published July 18, 2026
- Cyclospora Cases Are Rising. Here’s What to Know. Publisher: The New York Times Published July 18, 2026
- First lawsuit filed in Taco Bell Cyclospora outbreak as cases climb over 5,000 in Michigan Publisher: ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 Published July 17, 2026