Increase funding for public health infrastructure to improve outbreak surveillance and response capabilities.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is moderate due to ongoing outbreaks of Ebola, Legionnaires', and Cyclospora, alongside persistent challenges with COVID-19 and avian flu.
August 15, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by several concurrent infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola in DR Congo, Legionnaires' disease in New York, and a widespread Cyclospora outbreak in the US. These outbreaks highlight vulnerabilities in public health responses and the need for robust surveillance and containment strategies. The persistent presence of COVID-19, with its long-term effects and vaccine-related controversies, continues to strain healthcare systems. Additionally, the emergence of avian flu cases in various regions underscores the potential for zoonotic diseases to impact human health. These factors, combined with misinformation and distrust in public health institutions, contribute to a heightened pandemic risk level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance training and resources for healthcare workers to manage and treat long COVID and other post-viral conditions.
Launch targeted vaccination campaigns to address gaps in coverage and counter misinformation.
Support community education initiatives to build trust in vaccines and public health measures.
Accelerate the development of universal vaccines and treatments for emerging infectious diseases.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Severe COVID may awaken dormant viruses, leading to autoimmune disease, long COVID Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published August 6, 2026
- ‘Ebola Is Winning’: Epidemic Now Killing One Person Every 30 Minutes Publisher: Eurasia Review Published August 14, 2026
- Eye on Africa - DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth province Publisher: France 24 Published August 14, 2026
- Death toll rises to 9 in Upper East Side Legionnaires’ outbreak Publisher: Spectrum News NY1 Published August 14, 2026
- Thousands of Americans fall ill to Cyclospora outbreak Publisher: whas11.com Published August 14, 2026
- Is It Safe to Eat Lettuce and Other Fresh Produce as Cyclospora Outbreak Wanes? Publisher: The New York Times Published August 14, 2026