In 2017, 80 people became infected with the meningococcal type W. Until 2015, an average of four people contracted this bacterium, which can cause meningitis. Because of this increase, from 1 May 2018 the meningococcal C vaccination given to babies of 14 months was replaced by a vaccine that protects against more types of meningococcal bacteria (ACWY). From the autumn of 2018, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine will also be offered to teens born between 2001 and 2004.

Healthy life years

Last year the number of infections with legionella also increased. The number of infections increased from 291 to 561 in the last 5 years. The cause is unclear, but according to RIVM researchers, there is a relationship with warm and wet weather. Last year, the most healthy life years in the Netherlands were lost due to influenza, pneumococcal disease and legionella infection, according to the report.

Theme: Infectious diseases-epidemiology in the year 2018

The report ‘State of Infectious Diseases in the Netherlands in 2017’ provides policy makers at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and at the Municipal Public Health Services  with an overview of the most important developments in infectious diseases in the Netherlands and abroad. Every year, the State of Infectious Diseases focusses on an in-depth theme. This year’s theme is ‘Infectious disease epidemiology in the year 2018’. The strong increase in digital data makes it possible, among other things, to detect disease outbreaks earlier.