Active Lyme disease of the central nervous system cannot be detected with an ELISpot test.

The societal costs of Lyme disease have been determined for the Netherlands for the first time. The disease appears to cost nearly EUR 20 million each year.

As of 1 January 2017, the disorders alpha and beta thalassaemia will be added to the neonatal blood spot (‘heel prick’) screening programme.

Lyme disease can cause a variety of complaints in patients. Laboratory tests for the disease can support medical practitioners in making a diagnosis but are not necessarily conclusive.

On 26 October 2015, heel prick screening started for all newborns on St Eustatius and Saba.

The Netherlands is the first country where the burden of disease due to Lyme disease has been determined.