Risk of measles outbreaks increases with decreasing vaccination coverage Vaccination coverage for vaccinations in the Dutch National Vaccination Program (NIP) decreased slightly by about half a percent for the third consecutive year.
Alertness about the Zika virus still needed for pregnant women Since May 2015, there has been a Zika virus outbreak in South and Central America, including the Caribbean. The Zika virus can cause birth defects, including microcephaly (small head size).
More gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia at Dutch STI clinics An increasing number of clients tested at a Dutch STI clinic for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is diagnosed with gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia.
RIVM recommends hepatitis A vaccination for gay men There is a large international outbreak currently of hepatitis A, mostly among gay and bisexual men. In several European countries more than 1,000 patients have been reported.
Pneumonia occurs more often near livestock farms People who live near poultry farms and goat farms suffer from pneumonia more often. In the area surveyed, every year about 1650 people per 100,000 residents get pneumonia.
National Heat Plan active The National Heat Plan became active in the Netherlands on June 19th. This means that it is necessary to take preventive health measures for vulnerable groups.
Amount of greenhouse gases in atmosphere reaches record high The concentrations of the 43 most important greenhouse gases are at unprecedented, record-high levels compared to the last higher than ever in the past 800,000 years.
Long-term disruption of day/night rhythms increases risk of breast cancer and leads to gain in bodyweight Long-term disruption of day/night rhythms leads to an increase in breast cancer risk and bodyweight in mice susceptible to breast cancer.
High number of tick bites expected this summer It is expected that over the coming month, around half a million people will be bitten by a tick. Last month, considerably more tick bites have been reported compared to previous years.
Gardner Middlebrook Award 2015 to Dick van Soolingen RIVM congratulates Professor Dick van Soolingen, who was presented the highly coveted Gardner Middlebrook Award.