If historical trends continue unchanged, dementia will be the leading cause of disease burden in 2040 and the main cause of death.

The number of bacteria strains resistant to antibiotics in humans has remained stable in the Netherlands over the past year.

RIVM-experts from the Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) have undertaken two missions involving an emergency situation in the Solomon Islands and an environmental assessment in Georgia.

The two patients who were diagnosed last week with the MERS coronavirus are now on the mend.

As of 13 May 2014, RIVM and Erasmus MC have diagnosed the MERS coronavirus in two Dutch people. The patients are related and were infected during a joint journey to Saudi Arabia.

RIVM and ECN have developed an innovative assessment framework for testing the environmental effects on soil and groundwater of leachate water from sustainable landfill sites.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners and are released primarily at the end of the life-span of these products.

The coming year RIVM is going to be collecting good examples of interventions for the prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.