Increase funding and resources for public health infrastructure to manage and contain multiple outbreaks effectively.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is high due to ongoing outbreaks of cyclospora, long COVID complications, and avian flu, coupled with challenges in public health response and misinformation.
July 30, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current high-risk assessment is driven by multiple concurrent infectious disease outbreaks, including a significant cyclospora outbreak affecting 45 states with over 10,000 cases in Michigan alone, and ongoing challenges related to long COVID, which affects healthcare workers and presents with severe symptoms. Additionally, avian flu continues to impact poultry and wildlife, with potential zoonotic transmission risks. Public health response is strained by these simultaneous outbreaks, and misinformation, particularly surrounding COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy, exacerbates the situation. Surveillance gaps and the need for improved public health infrastructure and funding further heighten the risk level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for early detection and management of cyclospora and avian flu cases.
Launch targeted campaigns to address misinformation and promote vaccine uptake, particularly for COVID-19 and flu.
Support community outreach programs to educate the public on preventive measures and symptoms of ongoing outbreaks.
Accelerate studies on long COVID to develop effective treatments and understand its long-term impacts.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Many Black US patients with long COVID being missed, analysis reveals Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published July 27, 2026
- Pandemic pathogens, dengue, cholera were world’s largest emerging infectious disease burdens from 2000 to 2022 Publisher: CIDRAP Influenza (General) Published June 24, 2026
- Cambodia confirms human H5N1 avian flu case as H5N1 hits more Utah egg farms Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 16, 2026
- Michigan cyclosporiasis outbreak tops 10,000 confirmed cases Publisher: MLive.com Published July 30, 2026
- Michigan's cyclosporiasis outbreak hits 10,000 cases Publisher: CBS News Published July 29, 2026