Increase funding for public health infrastructure to improve outbreak response capabilities.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is high due to ongoing outbreaks of Ebola in DR Congo, measles in the US, and avian flu, compounded by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
September 3, 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 a severe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, measles outbreaks in the United States, and avian flu cases in multiple regions. These outbreaks are exacerbated by significant challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and gaps in public health infrastructure. Despite advancements in vaccine development and deployment, such as the approval of new COVID vaccines, there remain substantial barriers to achieving widespread immunization coverage. Additionally, the resurgence of diseases like measles highlights vulnerabilities in vaccination programs and the impact of misinformation on public health efforts. The combination of these factors suggests a heightened risk of further spread and strain on healthcare systems.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance community outreach and education to combat vaccine misinformation and hesitancy.
Collaborate with local health authorities to support vaccination campaigns in underserved areas.
Continue to develop and test new vaccines and antiviral 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.
- FDA approves new COVID vaccines Publisher: CIDRAP COVID‑19 Published August 28, 2026
- Quick takes: Ebola deaths top 1,000, measles outbreak in Delaware, H9N2 avian flu in China Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 23, 2026
- Cambodia confirms human H5N1 avian flu case as H5N1 hits more Utah egg farms Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 16, 2026
- Measles cases in Pa. surpass 500, second-highest in the nation Publisher: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Published September 3, 2026
- 3 hospitalized in Kentucky measles outbreak, officials confirm Publisher: The Courier-Journal Published September 2, 2026