The Netherlands is better equipped to handle a major outbreak of disease when it is well-prepared. That is why the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is strengthening and enhancing infectious disease control in the Netherlands, as commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).

In doing so, RIVM focuses on the following themes:

RIVM has teamed up with experts and organisations in the Netherlands and abroad to address these themes. Read more on this topic under: Read more about international collaboration and infectious disease control on the webpage International collaboration. 

RIVM’s Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) had already been working on these themes and partnerships before the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, they have received much more attention, and RIVM has ensured in various ways that the Netherlands is as prepared as possible for any major infectious disease outbreaks. Other parts of the organisation also play a major role in this effort, such as the National Functionality for Upscaling Infectious Disease Control (LFI) for medical-operational upscaling, behavioural science researchers, and the Information Services for Infectious Disease Control (IV IZB) programme for the digital infrastructure required to support infectious disease control.

One Health approach 

The efforts to strengthen infectious disease control are guided by the One Health approach: effective public health depends on the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.