News | RIVM

Almost a third of the cyclists in the Netherlands use electric bikes

Almost a third (30%) of the Dutch cyclists aged 12 and over use electric bikes. The use of e-bikes is most common among elderly cyclists (those aged 65 and over): more than half of them only ride an e-bike. This is according to a RIVM survey of nearly 7,000 people. A vast majority of respondents (70%) said they opted for an e-bike ‘to cycle with less effort’.

Results of the 2021 Noise Monitor

Measurements by RIVM show that motorways again produced more noise in 2020 than the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management had calculated. The difference was 3 dB, the same as in 2019. Due to the coronavirus measures and the speed limit reduction, however, the noise levels along both motorways were lower in 2020 than in 2019. This is according to the 2021 Noise Monitor. The figures also show that, in 2020, so-called ‘quiet tyres’ still does not reduce noise produced by motorways in practice. The measurement and calculation of noise produced by railways did match.

COVID-19 vaccination estimated to have prevented about 88 thousand hospital admissions in just over one year

The COVID-19 vaccinations prevented many hospital admissions in the Netherlands.

Incidence of infections that cause gastrointestinal symptoms on the rise again

In 2021, the incidence of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than in 2020, but still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic. This is the outcome of a study into enteric infections and pathogens transmitted from animals to humans.

New WHO Collaborating Centre hosted by RIVM on Life Course and Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated RIVM as WHO Collaborating Centre on Life Course and Health. The Collaborating Centre will support the WHO by contributing to knowledge and research on healthy ageing over the life course. People are growing older all over the world.

Incorrect emission factors used for some farms included in list of top 100 ammonia emitters

At the request of the Dutch House of Representatives, RIVM compiled a list of the 100 biggest ammonia emitters in the Netherlands. Recently, the underlying data used to compile this list were disclosed pursuant to a request under the Open Government Act.

Sustained avian flu outbreak is the most remarkable outbreak in 2021 discussed in Zoonoses Report

The outbreak of the H5N1 variant of avian flu was the most remarkable outbreak in 2021. In October of that year, the Netherlands experienced the start of the biggest outbreak of avian flu since 2003.

Grey heron infected with West Nile virus

A grey heron in the Noord-Holland-Noord region has tested positive for the West Nile virus. The virus is rare in the Netherlands.

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PFAS levels in drinking water from river water need to be brought down

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advises to reduce PFAS concentrations in the drinking water in parts of the Netherlands in the coming years. This concerns drinking water produced from river water.

Vaccination campaign to end as number of monkeypox infections consistently low

The current monkeypox outbreak is virtually over, and therefore the vaccination campaign to stop the spread of monkeypox, or ‘apenpokken’ in Dutch, will soon be coming to an end.