Despite worldwide vaccination, the incidence of whooping cough is increasing in many countries. Now, researchers of the RIVM have identified three chromosomal regions in mice that influence the severity of whooping cough. The first of these, Bps-1, is involved in clearing the bacteria from the lung. Identication of the responsible genes in these regions that affect the course of B. pertussis infection may provide new insight into pathways of pathogenesis, which can result in better treatment, or prevention of whooping cough. 

RIVM is co-sponsor and organiser of the Second International Calicivirus Conference that will be held in Dijon (France) from November 6 through 9. This 3 day meeting covers different aspects of calicivirus research, ranging from basic science to clinical virology and epidemiology, for caliciviruses infecting and affecting humans and animals.

This new English-language RIVM website is currently under development. Soon links will be added to 'thematic' English websites that are hosted by RIVM. More RIVM publications and abstracts in English will be made available from September 2003. A new overview of our organisation and research activities is in preparation as well. For now, this information can be found on the old English site (which is still in use). 

Regulatory authorities worldwide have recently issued new guidelines on drug testing to detect toxicity to the immune system. As immunotoxicity is difficult to test in humans, animal data may be valuable as signals indicating a potential immunotoxic hazard for humans. The Guidance documents currently in force or present in draft for the primary screening for immunotoxic effects in a regulatory setting are discussed in a review published in October 2003 (Fundam & Clin Pharmacol 2003;17:615-26).

In conformance with the Immunological Medicinal Products Decree, Article5.1.e, certain unregistered immunological medicinal products (IMP) can only be supplied if they are released in lots by the Chief Inspector of Pharmacy and Medical Technology from the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate. On their behalf, the RIVM is responsible for administration and execution of the procedure. For further information on the subject, please refer to the document containing more background information. Every application for batch release should be accompanied by a completed application form (annex 1 (64Kb)) and supplementary list of questions ( Annex 2 (88Kb)).

For batch release, data are needed on the chemical-pharmaceutical composition, preclinical studies and quality control results of the relevant lot(s). The emphasis is put on assessing the safety of the lot for which batch release is requested.

Disclaimer: No rights can be obtained from any of the information presented here. The RIVM has the right to change the documentation without any prior notice. Please verify that you employ the most recent version(s).

The 2002 Dutch Public Health Status and Forecasts Report
The Health on Course? report presents new data and insights about public health, care and prevention in the Netherlands. It simultaneously examines the past, present and future, and draws comparisons both at home and abroad (Key Messages).

Health and healthcare in the Netherlands in international perspective
This report summarises recent international comparisons of Dutch health and healthcare. Moreover, it presents an international analysis of the stagnating trend in Dutch female life expectancy at birth. Finally, it describes why Dutch perinatal mortality rates are currently lagging behind in the European Union.