Throughout 2022, the Netherlands faced a persistent avian flu outbreak, affecting 76 poultry farms. The virus also infected numerous wild birds and various wild mammals. These findings are presented in the Zoonoses Report, an annual publication issued jointly by RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The Zoonoses Report assesses the prevalence of these infectious diseases in the Netherlands, highlighting the most common ones.
The most notable outbreak in 2022 concerned avian flu. As in 2021, the virus circulated among poultry and wild birds throughout the year. It also affected various wild mammals, such as foxes and polecats. There were no cases of human infection with the virus in the Netherlands.
Research into MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in livestock
V-MRSA, a type of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus linked to livestock, is primarily found in individuals who have extensive contact with animals. In recent years, however, cases of v-MRSA have been increasing among individuals who claim no animal contact. Consequently, RIVM has been working with partner institutions to conduct research into this issue. Since 2018, a different species of livestock has been investigated each year. The Zoonoses Report presents the results of this research.
Annual Zoonoses Report
In partnership with institutions such as the NVWA, RIVM monitors diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans to ensure swift intervention and outbreak control. The Zoonoses Report provides an annual summary of these efforts, showing trends over time. Additionally, the report focuses on a particular theme each year. This year’s theme is ‘new food sources and food safety’. It explores the impact of new food production methods and food patterns, including the consumption of insects, on foodborne infections. The Zoonoses Report also provides an overview of ongoing research in this area.