News | RIVM

NIPT available as standard option for all pregnant women from 1 April

From 1 April 2023, the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) will be available to all pregnant women. They do not have to take part in a scientific study for this.

Cancer screening programmes now more accessible to transgender and intersex persons

Since October 2022, is it has become easier for transgender and intersex persons to take part in cervical cancer screening and breast cancer screening. Transgender and intersex persons with a uterus and/or breast tissue can register with Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland.

Number of STI tests at sexual health centres are rising again

In 2021, more than 138,000 people were tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at a centre for sexual health.

From 1 June 2022, heel prick test also screens for muscle disease SMA, bringing number of screened diseases to 26

From 1 June 2022, the heel prick test for Dutch newborns will also screen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a serious hereditary muscle condition. Detecting this disease at an early stage enables early treatment.

Tailor-made information will help immigrants make decisions on taking part in screening programmes

Immigrants are relatively less likely to take part in preventive screening programmes, such as cancer screening. This is partly due to the language barrier and a lack of knowledge, according to a doctoral thesis by Nora Hamdiui.

More STI tests conducted by Sexual Health Centres

In 2021, more people visited a Sexual Health Centre (SHC) to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than in 2020. This figure is still lower than in 2019, the year before the coronavirus outbreak.

Breast cancer screening resumes on Bonaire after COVID-19 hiatus

Women aged 50 to 75 years on Bonaire can participate in the breast cancer screening programme again as of Wednesday, May 26, 2021. This was temporarily halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Population screening programmes temporarily on hold

Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the health care capacity in the Netherlands is expected to come under severe pressure in the coming period.

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.

Meningococcal type W most notable infectious disease in 2017

The report ‘State of Infectious Diseases in the Netherlands in 2017’ published by RIVM today, provides an overview of the most important developments in infectious diseases in the Netherlands and a