News | RIVM

RIVM European Reference Lab for vector-borne infections

The European Commission (EC) has designated RIVM as the current European Reference Lab (EURL) for vector-borne viral pathogens.

RIVM benoemd tot Europees referentielab (EURL) voor vector-overdraagbare virale infecties

New Zoonoses Report out now: avian flu most notable outbreak in 2022

Throughout 2022, the Netherlands faced a persistent avian flu outbreak, affecting 76 poultry farms. The virus also infected numerous wild birds and various wild mammals. These findings are presented in the Zoonoses Report, an annual publication issued jointly by RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

Smokers inhale more tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide when measured with WHO method

RIVM has measured the amount of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) in all filter cigarettes sold in the Netherlands with the WHO Intense method.

Darker cigarettes and other measures to make cigarettes less appealing

There are a number of measures that can be implemented to make cigarettes less appealing and less addictive. For example, manufacturers could make cigarettes a darker colour. They could also stop using ingredients like sugars and flavourings.

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.

Campylobacter most common pathogen found in dairy cattle

A study conducted at 185 dairy farms found the Campylobacter bacterium at 91% of those farms. Out of the pathogens that were studied, this type of bacteria is the most common in dairy cattle.

Zoonoses Report 2020 focuses on emerging zoonoses

The COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the West Nile Virus in 2020 show that so-called emerging zoonoses pose a risk to the Netherlands.

ANP

Menthol facilitates inhalation of tobacco smoke, even when you cannot taste it

Even when menthol cannot be tasted, the substance makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke. This way, menthol makes smoking more attractive for young and novice smokers who are not yet used to inhaling sharp, pungent tobacco smoke.

Launch of the European project RISK-HUNT3R

The new Horizon 2020 project RISK-HUNT3R: RISK assessment of chemicals integrating HUman centric Next generation Testing strategies promoting the 3Rs was launched on 1 June.

International collaboration essential theme State of Zoonoses 2019

Each year, at the request of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, RIVM prepares an overview of the most important zoonoses and indicates their prevalence in the Netherlands.