News | RIVM

Flu epidemic seems to be emerging

More and more people in the Netherlands have the flu. The number of people with flu increased significantly last week.

New WHO Collaborating Centre hosted by RIVM combines laboratory preparedness and biorisk

RIVM has been designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Safety of materials and products already starts at the design phase

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management aims to ensure that all new materials and technological developments are safe in 2050.

Onderzoeker met veiligheidsbril bekijkt preparaat

Flu jab for additional groups

The flu jab is offered free of charge every year to people aged 60 years and older, and to people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu virus due to medical reasons

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.

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.

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.

Health effects due to titanium nanoparticles in food and toothpaste cannot be excluded

Health effects due to exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles via food, food supplements and toothpaste cannot be excluded.

Moderate flu season

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

Tool for risk assessment of nanomaterials in cosmetics

Both regulators and manufacturers need to evaluate and manage consumer health risks that may be posed by the use of nanomaterials in cosmetics.