Increase funding and support for Ebola containment efforts in DR Congo to prevent further spread.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
The current pandemic risk is high due to ongoing Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo, persistent COVID-19 challenges, and emerging avian flu cases.
August 17, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history, indicating significant challenges in containment and response efforts. Concurrently, COVID-19 remains a concern with issues such as long COVID and vaccine misinformation affecting public health strategies. Additionally, new avian flu cases in China and the US highlight the potential for zoonotic spillover events. These factors, combined with gaps in surveillance and vaccine deployment, contribute to a heightened risk of infectious disease spread.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance public health communication to combat misinformation and promote vaccine uptake.
Monitor and address long COVID symptoms to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens.
Strengthen surveillance systems for avian flu and other zoonotic diseases to detect and respond to outbreaks promptly.
Support community education initiatives to improve understanding and acceptance of vaccines and public health measures.
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
- 4 new human H9N2 avian flu cases in China as Australia sees more H5N1 in wild birds Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published August 4, 2026
- Ebola cases surge past 2,000, now fastest-growing outbreak in history Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published July 15, 2026
- Ebola outbreak in DR Congo still outpacing response Publisher: CIDRAP Ebola Published July 10, 2026
- Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes deadliest in country’s history Publisher: Al Jazeera Published August 17, 2026