News | RIVM

National Heatwave Plan active as of 18 July and smog warning throughout the Netherlands

It is warm and the heat will continue over the coming days. For many people, this means enjoying the beach or garden. For others, heat can be less enjoyable.

Chromium-6 from medical implants not harmful to health

Chromium-6 from medical implants, such as hip or knee implants, does not result in severe health damage.

Ten years of Tick Radar 80,000 tick bite reports; chances of being bitten highest in Drenthe

After recording 80,000 tick bites in 10 years via Tekenradar.nl, we now know that you are most likely to be bitten by a tick in Drenthe. Quickly removing the tick halves the chance of contracting Lyme disease.

Most reports received by MEBI in 2021 concerned copper IUDs

More reports of suspected adverse effects from copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) were made in 2021 than in previous years, according to the annual report of the Dutch reporting and expertise centre for adverse effects of medical implants (MEBI).

uitgestoken hand van arts met daarin een koperspiraaltje

Shortcomings in the technical documentation of mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse used in the Netherlands

After a detailed assessment of the technical documentation of 9 different mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse used in NL (2018) RIVM concludes that the safety and performance of these products were not properly substantiated.

Long-term symptoms more common after Lyme disease

More than a quarter of people with Lyme disease continue to have long-term symptoms that lead to limitations in daily life even after treatment.

Spread of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the Netherlands

Every year about 1.5 million ticks bite someone in the Netherlands, especially between March and October. Most people will not get sick of that.

More reports of adverse effects of implants in 2019

In 2019, the Dutch reporting centre for adverse effects of medical implants (MEBI) received 397 reports of suspected adverse effects. The reports concerned 462 implants.

Mesh implants intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse

Synthetic mesh are used to treat patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

Higher mortality during heatwave in July in the Netherlands

During the last heatwave, almost 400 more deaths were reported than was expected on overage for that period. The additional deaths mainly concerned persons aged 75 years and older.