Moderate flu season Last winter season, the duration and severity of the influenza epidemic was moderate compared to previous years.
Bacteria slightly more often resistant to last resort antibiotics Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem. In the Netherlands, some bacteria that can cause infections in people are more frequently resistant to antibiotics used as a last resort.
RIVM recommends more stringent EU standards BPA More stringent European standards for safe exposure of workers and consumers to bisphenol A (BPA) were proposed in 2014 and 2015.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day: the fight against antibiotics resistance Wednesday, 18 November is European Antibiotic Awareness Day. On this day, attention throughout Europe is requested for the responsible use of antibiotics in people and animals.
Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.
CAESAR annual report 2014 The World Health Organization (WHO) published its first CAESAR annual report 2014.
Antibiotic resistance is stable, however, more resistant bacteria are expected Over recent years, antibiotic resistance to most agents has remained stable in the Netherlands, and the use of antibiotics has slightly decreased.
RIVM designated as WHO Collaborating Centre Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology and Surveillance AMR is one of the major global challenges in infectious disease control.
Biobased alternatives to hormone disrupting substance in cash register receipts Chemicals made from vegetable or animal waste may be an alternative to the use of the substance Bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper. Thermal paper is widely used for cash register receipts.
Outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N8) in Dutch poultry In November 2014 avian ‘flu has been detected on poultry farms in the Netherlands.