News | RIVM

Wastewater research offers clear overview of drug use in the Netherlands

Wastewater research helps achieve a clearer overview of drug use in the Netherlands. This is the outcome of a pilot project by RIVM and the Trimbos Institute.

Zoonoses Report 2024: more people ill due to salmonella

In 2024, the number of people who became ill from salmonella rose again, continuing the trend from 2023. There were also more poultry farms contaminated with these bacteria. The main type found was Salmonella enteritidis. There were fewer bird flu infections at poultry farms compared to 2023.

Study on effect of tuberculosis screening among immigrants and asylum-seekers

Between 2019 and 2023, more than 149,000 immigrants and asylum-seekers were screened for tuberculosis (TB) after arriving in the Netherlands. The screening enabled rapid detection of 312 people with TB. These findings are from the evaluation of the screening programme, conducted by RIVM. For the first time, the analysis also included the results of follow-up screening for tuberculosis infection among immigrants over 18 years of age. 13% of the screened immigrants were shown to have a TB infection.

New SARS-CoV-2 variant causes hardly any difference in symptoms

The new SARS-CoV-2 variant XFG (also referred to as Stratus) causes hardly any difference in symptoms than previous variants of the coronavirus. Similarly, the symptoms do not seem to be more severe. This is the result of an exploratory study by RIVM among Infection Radar survey participants.

It is almost time for your seasonal flu vaccine

In October, many people will receive their seasonal flu vaccine invitation again. The purpose of this vaccine is to protect people with additional risk, for example due to being 60 years of age or older or due to particular medical conditions, from becoming seriously ill from flu. They can get the flu vaccine from their GP or in-house physician.

Lower risk of post-COVID after SARS-CoV-2 infection

The risk of developing long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection has decreased since the pandemic. These findings are from research conducted by RIVM in the VASCO study. Researchers in this study have been monitoring tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands over an extended time period.

New pneumococcal disease vaccine for over-60s

People who turn 60 in 2025, or are over 78, will shortly be receiving an invitation for a free pneumococcal vaccine. This is a new vaccine that provides better protection against pneumococcal disease than its predecessor.

New fire extinguishing method for EVs looks promising, but may cause environmental damage

An electric vehicle (EV) that is on fire is difficult to extinguish. Among other things, this is because the battery casing is watertight. The ultra high pressure (UHP) extinguishing system appears to be a promising new method of reaching the burning battery. However, RIVM measurements show that with this method, the firefighting water gets heavily contaminated.

NIPV

Respiratory infections now in season

It is October, marking the start of the respiratory infection season. In autumn and winter, there is an increase in people who are coughing and sneezing. Various pathogens can cause a respiratory infection.

RIVM publishes feasibility study into temporary extension of National Programme for Breast Cancer Screening to include MRI scan

Today, RIVM published a feasibility study into the temporary extension of the National Programme for Breast Cancer Screening to include an MRI scan for women with very dense breast tissue (density level D). In this study, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, RIVM investigated which scenarios for temporarily including an MRI scan in the population screening programme were feasible and responsible.