The flu epidemic in the Netherlands has started. The number of people with flu (influenza) increased significantly in the past two weeks.

More and more people in the Netherlands have the flu. The number of people with flu increased significantly last week.

The flu jab is offered free of charge every year to people aged 60 years and older, and to people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu virus due to medical reasons

The flu epidemic in the winter of 2019/2020 was mild and lasted only 5 weeks.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment published a new edition of the Dutch food composition database (NEVO). This 2019 edition contains nutrient data for over 2150 food items. Values for 133 components (proteins, fats, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals) are available.

The annual influenza epidemic in the winter of 2018-2019 was less severe than the year before. Approximately 400,000 people have had the flu.

In 2018, 22.4 per cent of the Dutch adult population indicated they were occasional smokers.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a provisional health-based guidance value for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Recent years show a cautious improvement in the Dutch diet. The Dutch have started to eat more fruit and it seems to be heading in the right direction with vegetables.

Influenza vaccination reduces the number of influenza virus infections but not the overall number of illness.