02 September, 2026 | Ebola

End of the outbreak in Uganda, no end in sight in DRC

Current information about Ebola

24 August, 2026 | Salmonella

Investigation of Salmonella infections still ongoing

Current information about salmonella

17 August, 2026 | Cyclospora infections

Rapid rise in Cyclospora infections in the UK after visiting Mexico

In recent months, a noticeable number of people in the United Kingdom have gotten sick from a Cyclospora cayetanensis infection after traveling to Mexico. This parasite is mainly found in tropical areas and can cause diarrhea.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a total of 67 people with cyclosporiasis between April 30 and July 15, 2026. Travel history was known for 51 people; 48 of them had recently been to Mexico, mainly in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions. In most cases, it involved people who had an all-inclusive hotel package. Such outbreaks among travelers in the summer are not uncommon, but the current number of reports in the UK is higher than normal.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is mainly spread through contaminated water or through fruits and vegetables that have come into contact with it. Direct person-to-person transmission doesn’t happen. The illness mainly causes watery diarrhea and stomach cramps. Usually, it goes away on its own, but people with weak immune systems can get more seriously ill or stay sick for longer.

In the Netherlands, the number of Cyclospora infections is not routinely tracked. In 2026, two Dutch laboratories have so far reported a total of 13 positive Cyclospora results; for four of these 13 people, it was known that they had recently been to Mexico.

Do you have prolonged diarrhea after staying in Mexico, the United States or (sub)tropical countries? Please contact your general practitioner.

17 August, 2026 | West Nile fever

West Nile virus detected in a blood donor

News RIVM

10 August 2026 | Ebola

Bundibugyo Ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda

Current information about Ebola | RIVM

10 August, 2026 | Enterovirus

More infections with enterovirus D68

In the Netherlands, we are seeing earlier than usual more infections with enterovirus D68 in 2026.

Enterovirus D68 is a virus that mainly causes respiratory symptoms. Most of the time, the illness is mild, like a cold or the flu. Sometimes the virus can cause a more serious course, especially in people with a weak immune system. In rare cases, someone can suddenly become weak in their arms or legs (acute flaccid paralysis). This resembles the paralysis symptoms that can occur with polio.

What's notable in 2026?

• The first infections were already found in June.
• In July, 17 people with this virus were registered.
• So far in 2026, there have been a total of 19 patients with enterovirus D68 in the Netherlands.
• In other years, the peak usually started later, in the fall (September to November). Now the season seems to be starting earlier.

Do you have questions about cough or paralysis symptoms for yourself or someone around you? Please contact your doctor.

10 August, 2026 | Chikungunya

First chikungunya infection of 2026 acquired in Europe reported

Current figures on chikungunya

6 August, 2026 | West Nile virus

First West Nile virus infections of 2026 detected in horse and bird

In the Netherlands, a bird and a horse have tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV) for the first time in 2026. This shows that right now, during the mosquito season, there are mosquitoes active that carry the West Nile virus.

Current figures on West Nile fever

3 August, 2026 | Gonorrhea

Risk assessment resistant gonorrhoea

Since 2022, gonorrhoea caused by a bacterium that cannot be treated properly with the antibiotic ceftriaxone has become more common in European countries. This resistant form of gonorrhoea often occurs in people who have travelled, especially to Southeast Asia, because this bacterium is present in the population there. Since 2025, an increasing number of infections with this resistant gonorrhoea have been found in Europe among people who have not travelled. The infection occurs mostly in adults aged 20–50 years, and more often in men than in women.

Current information about Gonorrhea

28 July, 2026 | Legionella

More cases of legionellosis reported in the Netherlands in 2025

In 2025, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, received more reports of legionellosis than in 2024. However, the number of reports was lower than in 2023. In that year, the number of reports was exceptionally high.

Current information about Legionella (Legionellosis)

23 July, 2026 | Hantavirus

Puumala virus in Twente

In Twente, more people than in previous years have fallen ill this year due to infection with an orthohantavirus. This concerns the Puumala virus. This infection occurs on average about 15 times a year. It is known that the Puumala virus is present in the Twente region.

Current information about Hantavirus

23 July, 2026 | Malaria

Airport malaria Frankfurt

In Germany, four employees of Frankfurt International Airport have fallen ill with malaria. They became ill at the beginning of July. It concerns malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a form of malaria that can develop severely.

Current information about Malaria

23 July, 2026 | Dengue

Dengue France

In France, the first dengue (breakbone fever) cases of this year have recently been reported that were acquired within the country. These infections were contracted in the south of France, in the departments of Tarn and Hérault.

Current information about Dengue

16 July, 2026 | Legionella

Legionella in New York

In early July, an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease (legionella pneumonia) was reported in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. So far, there are 64 patients, 53 of whom have been hospitalized. The investigation is focusing on cooling towers as a possible source. Of 180 cooling towers tested, 76 were positive for Legionella. Most of these towers have now been cleaned, and the number of new patients is decreasing. No Dutch patients have been reported.

For guidance on actions to take and more information on preventing legionella infection, you can visit RIVM | Legionella.

16 July, 2026 | Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis in the USA

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report a clear increase in cyclosporiasis in the United States. Between May 1 and July 15, 2026, 1,645 people with a confirmed Cyclospora infection have been reported, 141 of whom have been hospitalized. In addition, over 5,000 reports are still under investigation. A notably high number of patients have been reported in Michigan. The source of the outbreak is still unknown and is under investigation: one suspicion is lettuce from a particular supplier. This supplier is currently no longer delivering lettuce; no specific food product or supplier has yet been identified.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People usually become infected by eating contaminated vegetables, fruit, or herbs, or by drinking contaminated water. The main symptom is severe watery diarrhea. In the Netherlands, cyclosporiasis occurs mainly in people who have visited (sub)tropical areas. Do you have prolonged diarrhea after staying in the United States or (sub)tropical countries? Then contact your general practitioner.

16 July, 2026 | Ebola

Bundibugyo in DR Congo and Uganda 

Current information about Ebola

13 July, 2026 | Polio

Child in the Netherlands with acute flaccid paralysis due to non-polio-enterovirus 

Current information about polio

13 July, 2026 | Salmonella

Re-examination of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak 

Current information on Salmonella

6 July, 2026 | Marburg

Marburg Virus Infection Confirmed in Uganda

Current information about Marburg Virus Infection

6 July, 2026 | Dermatophilosis

Between March and June, 3 people in the Netherlands were diagnosed with skin infections caused bythe bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. There are also a few other people with symptoms that may be related to this infection.

Current information about Dermatophilosis

24 June, 2026 | Ebola

Ebola confirmed in healthcare worker in France: risk of spread in Europe remains very small

Current information about Ebola

19 June, 2026 | Dermatophilus congolensis

Skin infections caused by Dermatophilus congolensis in several European countries

The European Health Organisation ECDC has published a rapid risk assessment on reports of skin infections with Dermatophilus congolensis from several European countries. In this report, the ECDC concludes that the risk of this bacterium is small for the population. This is due to a small possibility of spreading and the mild symptoms if someone does become infected with this pathogen.

Source: ECDC

18 June, 2026 | Hantavirus

Almost all passengers and crew of the cruise ship MV Hondius ended their quarantine today, 18 June 2026. They were quarantined for 42 days, either at home or at a facility in the Netherlands.

Current information about hantavirus

11 June, 2026 | Ebola

On 8 June, the Ministry of Health in the DRC reported a total of 550 confirmed cases of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus (up to and including 7 June). Of these cases, 101 people have died from the disease. 

Current information about Ebola

8 June, 2026 | Dermatophilus congolensis

Dermatophilus congolensis skin infections in France and Spain

In France and Spain, several skin infections caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis were reported between December 2025 and March 2026. The infections occurred in men having sex with men.

The Dermatophilus bacterium can cause the disease dermatophilosis. Dermatophilosis is a zoonosis. This means that the disease occurs in animals and is sometimes transmitted from animals to humans. This type of infection is rare. The fact that the bacterium can also be transmitted from human to human by direct (sexual) physical contact had not been described before. 

The symptoms in people infected with dermatophilosis are usually mild. A skin rash develops, such as bumps, blisters and scabs. The infection can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Dermatophilosis is not a notifiable disease in the Netherlands. It is therefore difficult to say whether it also occurs in the Netherlands and whether sexual transmission takes place. So far, data from medical laboratories have provided no indication of problematic spread.

4 June, 2026 | Tick bites

Since the Whitsun weekend, the number of tick bite reports has risen significantly. 

Curren information about tick bites (in Dutch)

3 June, 2026 | Ebola

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, many people are still sick with Ebola. The virus causing this Ebola outbreak is called Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

Current information about Ebola

3 June, 2026 | Measles

Since the previous update (20 April 2026), RIVM has received 4 new reports of measles. The number of reports for 2026 has now gone up to 8.

Current information about measles

Deze informatie in het Nederlands

Recente (internationale) berichten infectieziektebestrijding