The Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance (IDS) is one of the five departments within the Centre for Infectious Disease Control of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). IDS is involved in laboratory surveillance, diagnostic testing, research and advice. As such, the centre plays an important role in the response to infectious diseases. IDS is an (inter)national reference laboratory for a number of pathogens. The centre also collaborates with other reference laboratories, both at home and abroad.
IDS is responsible for
- Contributing to the early detection of infectious diseases and signalling during outbreaks of infectious diseases. The IDS does so by conducting laboratory research, diagnostic testing and laboratory surveillance. In this way, the IDS contributes to the prevention of and response to infectious diseases.
- Appropriate laboratory methods for the diagnosis of current and future infectious diseases.
- A comprehensive diagnostic landscape for good public health.
- The organisation and coordination of a network of medical-microbiological reference laboratories.
- The coordination of the outbreak assistance laboratory, which allows for the rapid implementation of satisfactory diagnostic testing during an infectious disease crisis.
- Microbiological research into areas such as pathogen surveillance for the interpretation of outbreaks, increases in occurrence and introductions of infectious diseases.
WHO Collaborating Centres
Two WHO Collaborating Centres are active within IDS:
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Smallpox Vaccine.
More information about international collaboration: International cooperation for infectious disease control | National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
Reference laboratory
IDS is also:
- a WHO-accredited Reference Laboratory for Coronaviruses.
- a WHO-accredited Polio Laboratory, part of the WHO Polio Lab Network.
- a WHO-accredited laboratory for measles and rubella, part of the WHO Measles and Rubella Lab Network.
- a designated EU Reference Laboratory for Public Health on Vector-borne Viral Pathogens.
We are part of the organising consortium for European Union laboratories for food- and water-borne bacteria and viruses. More information about this will be released at the end of 2025 or the start of 2026.
The IDS is also a national reference laboratory for a large group of pathogens:
- multi-drug resistant micro-organisms (MDROs)
- bacterial food infections
- diseases included in the Dutch National Immunisation Programme
- special bacterial infections (incl. bioterrorism)
- enteroviruses
- gastroenteritis viruses
- tuberculosis
- other group A/B1-notifiable diseases (such as smallpox).
In conjunction with other organisations, IDS is the national reference laboratory for:
- coronaviruses
- viral hemorrhagic fevers
- arboviruses
- respiratory viruses (the IDS participates in the National Influenza Centre)
- invasive mycoses
- Lyme disease
Support for municipal public health services and government
The centre's knowledge and information are used to support municipal public health services and the national government.
The IDS is managed by Dr M.J.B. (Marianne) van Stipdonk.
Areas of expertise of the IDS
- Virology
- Bacteriology
- Parasitology
- Mycology
Contact details
IDS | Contact details |
|---|---|
| General contact phone number | + 31 (0)88 - 689 75 70 |
| Test results phone number | + 31 (0)88 - 689 75 68 |
| ids-info@rivm.nl |
See also
Diagnostics | National Institute for Public Health and the Environment