Gastrointestinal symptoms on the rise, but still fewer than before the COVID-19 pandemic In 2022, the number of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than it was in the previous two years. However, the total number of infections was still lower than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Grey heron infected with West Nile virus A grey heron in the Noord-Holland-Noord region has tested positive for the West Nile virus. The virus is rare in the Netherlands. Bas van de Meulengraaf
Higher alert level for Ebola There is an Ebola outbreak in several regions of Uganda that are also frequented by tourists. RIVM therefore asks medical professionals to be alert to symptoms that could indicate Ebola among people who have travelled to Uganda, and to request diagnostics to rule out or confirm Ebola.
Towards a sustainable, healthy future for everyone: EU project INHERIT offers policy solutions Today, on 10 December a policy toolkit will be presented at the final conference of the European four-year research project INHERIT.
EU air policy gives an average of 6 extra years of life in the Netherlands Since the 1970s, European policies to improve air quality have resulted in fewer emissions in many countries.
New environmental noise and health guidelines Exposure to environmental noise is expected to cause more health problems in the Netherlands. There is increasingly more noise, and new houses are being built closer to noise sources.
Residential Wood Burning Alert in unfavourable weather conditions As of this autumn, RIVM will advise against burning wood in unfavourable weather conditions and or poor air quality.
RIVM will calculate temporary background value for PFAS in soil In the coming weeks, RIVM will derive a temporary background value for PFAS in Dutch soil. This will be done based on measurement data from the provinces in the Netherlands.
Openness about nitrogen There is concern about the current approach to nitrogen and the proposed measures; these concerns have been expressed in Dutch society as a whole and amongst farmers in particular.
New data on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen slightly; ammonia emissions remain stable.