News | RIVM

Last winter’s flu epidemic was short and mild. And then COVID-19 arrived.

The flu epidemic in the winter of 2019/2020 was mild and lasted only 5 weeks.

De griepepidemie in de winter van 2019/2020 was mild en duurde slechts 5 weken.

EU air policy gives an average of 6 extra years of life in the Netherlands

Since the 1970s, European policies to improve air quality have resulted in fewer emissions in many countries.

Mild 2018-2019 influenza epidemic

The annual influenza epidemic in the winter of 2018-2019 was less severe than the year before. Approximately 400,000 people have had the flu.

Dutch air quality shows little improvement in 2017

In 2017, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in most parts of the Netherlands were below European limit values.

Research: HPV vaccine is safe

RIVM research shows no causal link between the vaccine against cervical cancer (HPV) and long-term fatigue symptoms in girls.

Climate change, ozone depletion and air quality need to be addressed coherently

Ozone layer depletion, air pollution and climate change need to be addressed in connection with each other.

Influenza-like Illness Incidence Is Not Reduced by Influenza Vaccination

Influenza vaccination reduces the number of influenza virus infections but not the overall number of illness.

Moderate flu season

Last winter season, the duration and severity of the influenza epidemic was moderate compared to previous years.

Less air pollution from traffic and industry but increased contribution from agriculture

International air policy has shown good results in Europe: in the past 35 years the air has become cleaner. Nevertheless air pollution is still an important cause of premature death.

Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years

The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.