The most notable infectious disease outbreak in 2016 was the large Zika virus outbreak in Latin America.

In our annual report, we look back at compelling RIVM projects and research in which RIVM was involved in 2016. Our expertise is broader than what we can showcase in this report.

On Saba, a Dutch Caribbean island, diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika can be reduced by the use of genetically modified mosquitoes.

Our wastewater contains bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Residues of antibiotics are also found in wastewater.

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.