News | RIVM

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.

Bas van de Meulengraaf

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.

Patient with cutaneous diphtheria in reception centre

This week, a refugee from Syria was found to be infected with the diphtheria bacterium. The patient has been treated with antibiotics. The patient’s contacts have been tested and vaccinated.

Changes to the human environment: urgent focus on infectious diseases needed

Infectious diseases should be a key element in designing the environment in which people live and work. Changes to the living environment can unintentionally increase the risk of spreading pathogens.