Reliable laboratory data is essential for infectious disease surveillance. All medical microbiological laboratories have an important role to play in this context.

RIVM has set up a network of reference laboratories for specific diagnostics. In the event of a major outbreak, these outbreak assistance labs are ready to offer assistance.

RIVM works closely with stakeholders such as the Dutch Society for Medical Microbiology (NVMM) and the Dutch Association of Medical Microbiological Laboratories (VMML).

To ensure sufficient laboratory capacity and data during a future pandemic, RIVM is actively committed to:

  • safeguarding data flows and sample flows from microbiological laboratories;
  • facilitating the exchange of laboratory data for surveillance purposes;
  • formalising the laboratory upscaling structure.

Safeguarding data flows and sample flows

Medical microbiological diagnostics primarily serves individual patients. However, the resulting data is also extremely valuable in infectious disease surveillance and control. Relevant data and samples are currently mostly shared with RIVM on a voluntary basis. In 2023, RIVM identified vulnerabilities and gaps and made proposals to introduce a future-proof structure for these flows of data and samples. The reference laboratories play a major role in collecting and analysing samples and additional data for public health, which is why the network of these reference laboratories was reinforced even further.

Facilitating the exchange of laboratory data

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a strong focus on enhancing the exchange of laboratory data during an epidemic or pandemic. The data system landscape for supplying laboratory data to RIVM is currently fragmented. Much effort is being put into improving this situation.

To be better prepared for a pandemic, a new laboratory surveillance platform, LabSentiNL, is being set up as part of the RIVM surveillance strategy. A prototype of this system has now been rolled out and is undergoing further development. Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and laboratories are closely involved in designing the intended functionalities of this system.

The platform will include a database in which laboratories can easily and safely collect and share genetic and other pathogen data. In the future, data from animal reservoirs and the environment can also be stored in this database. The platform will be equipped with extensive analysis options, which can for example be used to continuously monitor laboratory data. This monitoring will improve our ability to identify the presence of new pathogens and new antimicrobial resistance. Any unusual developments can be flagged at an even earlier stage. This ‘early detection’ functionality in LabSentiNL allows RIVM and other parties to be even better prepared to provide public health advice. In doing so, LabSentiNL will make a significant contribution to strengthening national infectious disease control.

Formalising the laboratory upscaling structure

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a laboratory network was used for upscaling. This network had first been used during the 2009 influenza pandemic. The role played by these outbreak assistance laboratories is to perform swift, reliable diagnostics, as instructed by RIVM, in response to an infectious disease with potential national impact. This will ensure sufficient capacity for diagnosing patients during the initial stage of a crisis, thus contributing to infectious disease control. This network was evaluated in 2023 and the participation criteria were adjusted, allowing for the network to be formalised in consultation with the National Functionality for Upscaling Infectious Disease Control (LFI).

Enhancing surveillance tools

During the COVID-19 pandemic, various surveillance tools were enhanced and international projects were initiated in which laboratory data plays a key role. These tools are still vital in gaining insight into respiratory infections in the Netherlands:

More information on the enhancement of microbial diagnostics is available at Preparing for major outbreaks of infectious diseases.