Increase funding for infectious disease surveillance and response infrastructure.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Current infectious disease threats, including measles and avian flu outbreaks, combined with vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, present a high pandemic risk.
August 25, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The recent surge in measles cases in Maryland, along with avian flu cases in China and the US, highlight the ongoing threat of infectious diseases. Vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and demographic divides, exacerbates these risks by reducing herd immunity and complicating public health responses. Despite advances in vaccine development and deployment, gaps in surveillance and public health infrastructure, as evidenced by recent outbreaks and the need for increased funding, underscore the persistent vulnerabilities in pandemic preparedness.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Launch targeted campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Enhance training and resources for early detection and management of infectious diseases.
Support community-based initiatives to improve vaccination rates and public health education.
Foster global collaboration on vaccine research and distribution to mitigate cross-border disease spread.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- Survey data reveal demographic divides in Americans’ COVID vaccine hesitancy Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published August 21, 2026
- Over 400 state vaccine bills, 9 new laws, 2 fed charters, and 1 step closer to a CDC director: The State of US Vaccine Policy Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published July 30, 2026
- Federal health agencies say they need a big funding bump to prepare for future emergencies Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 17, 2026
- Cambodia confirms human H5N1 avian flu case as H5N1 hits more Utah egg farms Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 16, 2026
- Maryland health department declares measles outbreak in 3 counties as school year starts Publisher: CBS News Published August 25, 2026