Predicting who will experience symptoms after Lyme disease remains challenging Each year, approximately 27,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease. For most, the symptoms disappear after treatment with antibiotics. Unfortunately, 25% of those treated have chronic symptoms, such as fatigue, concentration disorders or pain.
National Immunisation Programme: slightly more cases in 2022, but fewer than before the COVID-19 pandemic In 2022, a slightly higher number of people in the Netherlands contracted diseases covered by the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) compared to 2021. This increase is likely due to the easing of coronavirus measures, such as social distancing.
Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines particularly low among young adults The number of people in the Netherlands aged four and over who meet the Physical Activity Guidelines has fallen since 2020. In 2022, 44.3% of the population was sufficiently physically active.
New Zoonoses Report out now: avian flu most notable outbreak in 2022 Throughout 2022, the Netherlands faced a persistent avian flu outbreak, affecting 76 poultry farms. The virus also infected numerous wild birds and various wild mammals. These findings are presented in the Zoonoses Report, an annual publication issued jointly by RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
Combined exposure to high amounts of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic increases risk of kidney damage People can come into contact with chemicals that may affect their health through food and drinking water.
More children vaccinated against mumps, measles, rubella and HPV The percentage of newborns participating in the immunisation programme targeting mumps, measles and rubella rose slightly over the past year.
Transfer models for harmful substances in animal feed online now RIVM and Wageningen Food Safety Research have made five feed-food transfer models available to calculate how many harmful substances in animal feed end up in animal-based foods.
Essential to keep a close eye on roll out of 5G The extent to which people are exposed to electromagnetic fields from individual 5G antennas and telephones is below the limits recommended by the European Union.
Control measures against the spread of Legionella from wastewater treatment plants Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may spread Legionella via the air and cause pneumonia if people inhale them.
Citizen Science Magazine; everyone's a scientist “RIVM is committed to being innovative, and becoming a key player in citizen science is fully in line with that goal,” says Danielle Timmermans, Chief Science Officer for Risk Communication at RIVM