Increase funding for public health infrastructure to improve outbreak detection and response capabilities.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
The current pandemic risk is high due to ongoing outbreaks of measles, Ebola, and avian flu, compounded by vaccine misinformation and gaps in public health infrastructure.
August 19, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The resurgence of measles in the US, with outbreaks in Wisconsin and Kentucky, highlights the impact of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, as seen in the distrust of COVID vaccines. Concurrently, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo remains uncontrolled, posing a significant threat due to its high mortality rate and potential for international spread. Furthermore, the detection of avian flu cases in multiple regions underscores the persistent threat of zoonotic diseases. These factors, combined with gaps in public health response and vaccine deployment, elevate the global pandemic risk to a high level.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance community outreach and education to combat vaccine misinformation and increase vaccination rates.
Coordinate global efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, including resource mobilization and technical support.
Accelerate research on universal vaccines and treatments for emerging infectious diseases.
Promote accurate information about vaccines and public health measures to counter misinformation.
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
- Kentucky health officials confirm ongoing measles outbreak Publisher: WKYT Published August 19, 2026
- Black Hawk County health warns of Iowa measles outbreak risk Publisher: KWWL Published August 18, 2026
- DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak ‘global emergency’ as infections pass 5,000: WHO Publisher: Al Jazeera Published August 18, 2026