Increase funding for public health infrastructure to improve outbreak detection and response capabilities.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Current assessment
Today's pandemic risk is high due to escalating measles outbreaks, avian flu cases, and vaccine hesitancy, compounded by gaps in public health infrastructure.
September 7, 2026
Trend
Daily score history for Pandemics.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by significant challenges, including a surge in measles cases in the US, reaching a 35-year high, and ongoing outbreaks of avian flu in multiple regions. Vaccine hesitancy remains a critical issue, exacerbating the spread of preventable diseases like measles. Additionally, the emergence of new infectious diseases and the persistence of existing ones, such as Ebola and MERS, highlight the need for robust surveillance and response systems. Despite advancements in vaccine technology and deployment, public health systems are strained, and misinformation continues to undermine vaccination efforts, increasing the risk of widespread outbreaks.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance public education campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Collaborate with local communities to improve vaccination coverage and build trust in vaccines.
Accelerate the development and distribution of vaccines for emerging infectious diseases.
Strengthen global surveillance networks to monitor and respond to infectious disease threats in real-time.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- USDA confirms new H5N1 avian flu cases in poultry, dairy cattle Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published August 27, 2026
- Federal health agencies say they need a big funding bump to prepare for future emergencies Publisher: CIDRAP Avian Influenza Published July 17, 2026
- Bangladesh dengue outbreak accelerates as hospitals come under strain Publisher: TradingView Published September 7, 2026
- US measles cases hit 35-year high as expert warns vaccine hesitancy is fueling the outbreak Publisher: Scripps News Published September 7, 2026
- Lancaster County coroner says measles caused second infant death as US cases soar past 3,100 Publisher: CIDRAP Published September 4, 2026