Increase funding and support for public health agencies to enhance outbreak response capabilities.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of Ebola, measles, and cyclospora, alongside challenges in vaccine policy and public health preparedness.
July 31, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by significant infectious disease challenges, including a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, measles outbreaks in Ohio, and the largest cyclospora outbreak in the US. These outbreaks highlight the persistent threat of infectious diseases and the need for robust public health responses. Vaccine policy remains a contentious issue in the US, with legislative efforts and public opinion divided, potentially impacting vaccination rates and public health outcomes. Furthermore, the emergence of new avian flu cases and ongoing MERS cases in the Middle East underscore the need for vigilant surveillance and rapid response capabilities. Despite advancements in vaccine development and deployment, misinformation and political challenges continue to hinder effective public health strategies.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Strengthen vaccination campaigns and public education to improve vaccine uptake and combat misinformation.
Coordinate global efforts to monitor and respond to emerging infectious diseases, ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
Continue to study long COVID and other post-viral conditions to develop effective treatments and management strategies.
Implement targeted surveillance and testing in high-risk areas to quickly identify and contain outbreaks.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Long COVID may affect up to 5% of healthcare workers in hospitals, new data suggest Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published July 29, 2026
- The Eaton wildfire evacuation shelter near LA saw outbreaks of norovirus, COVID, and flu, report reveals Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published July 10, 2026
- Federal health agencies say they need a big funding bump to prepare for future emergencies Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 17, 2026
- Africa CDC chief says ‘no magical solution’ for intensifying deadly Ebola outbreak Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published July 30, 2026
- Ebola cases surge past 2,000, now fastest-growing outbreak in history Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published July 15, 2026
- Measles outbreak declared in Ohio with cases reported in multiple counties Publisher: Cleveland 19 News Published July 30, 2026
- Ebola Outbreak Is Now the Second-Deadliest Ever, and in Record Time Publisher: The New York Times Published July 30, 2026
- Cyclospora outbreak: 18,000 cases Publisher: KTVU Published July 30, 2026