News | RIVM

Respiratory infections now in season

It is October and seasonal respiratory infections are on the rise. In autumn and winter, there is an increase in people who are coughing and sneezing. Various viruses or bacteria can cause a respiratory infection.

Pneumonia increase likely caused by multiple viruses and bacteria

More patients with pneumonia visited their GP from August 2023 on than in previous years. The rise in cases of pneumonia among children, adolescents and young adults aged 5–25 years is particularly notable.

Respiratory infections widespread, even more important to follow recommendations

The number of people in the Netherlands with respiratory symptoms continues to increase. Besides COVID-19 and rhinovirus, the number of people who have flu is also increasing. We are also seeing more and more people with pneumonia. Some of these cases are caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Respiratory infections season started

More and more people are coughing and sneezing, although it is not an epidemic at this point. The season in which respiratory infections circulate in the Netherlands has now started. There are various viruses that can cause respiratory infections.

Report on the developments of the National Immunisation Programme: national immunisation coverage increased slightly for the first time in five years

National immunisation coverage has increased for the first time in five years, for almost all vaccinations. For children born in 2017, vaccination coverage against mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) increased by 0.7% to 93.6%.

Can you solve a medical mystery?

During World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019, RIVM has set up an escape room in one of busiest shopping malls in the Netherlands.

Updated immunisation recommendation for measles: early vaccination before travel

A number of European countries are currently seeing outbreaks of measles. Before the start of the summer season, RIVM has therefore updated its immunisation recommendation for measles.

Risk of measles outbreaks increases with decreasing vaccination coverage

Vaccination coverage for vaccinations in the Dutch National Vaccination Program (NIP) decreased slightly by about half a percent for the third consecutive year.

Bacteria slightly more often resistant to last resort antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem. In the Netherlands, some bacteria that can cause infections in people are more frequently resistant to antibiotics used as a last resort.

Measles epidemic and Salmonella outbreak cost nearly six million euros

The most recent measles epidemic and outbreak of Salmonella Thomson due to smoked salmon have cost 3.9 and 1.7 million euros, respectively.