Infectious disease control requires more than just biomedical knowledge. Social science research also contributes to this. Through social science research RIVM monitors the behaviour, needs, suggestions, and experiences of residents and professionals.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) uses personal data. The general privacy statement of RIVM outlines why RIVM uses personal data and explains why RIVM is allowed to do so. Supplementing the general privacy statement, this privacy statement describes a number of tasks legally assigned to RIVM: monitoring, surveillance and scientific research for the purpose of effectively controlling infectious diseases.

RIVM collaborates with many international organisations in the field of infectious disease control. For example, with the WHO, the ECDC and other international public health institutes. 

Human behaviour plays a key role in prevention, early detection and effective treatment of diseases and outbreaks. Access to current behavioural knowledge and practical, useful operational perspectives can support policymakers as well as healthcare workers and other professionals in bringing about the desired behavioural changes. This includes knowledge on support for measures or on effective communication. Any secondary effects of measures that impact mental health, for example, should also be included in the decision-making process.

Animals can carry pathogens that can also make humans ill. The resulting diseases are called zoonoses. RIVM monitors zoonoses, from identification to response. As commissioned by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), RIVM draws up an annual overview of the main zoonoses currently in the Netherlands and the frequency with which they occur (prevalence and incidence). This mainly concerns cases of zoonoses  that are subject to mandatory reporting (notifiable diseases). Confirmed cases in humans must be reported to the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), while confirmed cases in animals must be reported to the NVWA. Policymakers and other professionals can use this information to take measures as needed.

Research readiness is aimed at preparing, planning and swiftly implementing appropriate and targeted research during infectious disease outbreaks or emergency situations. As such, research readiness is a key component of pandemic preparedness.

Together with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), their umbrella organisation (GGD GHOR Nederland), medical professional organisations in the Netherlands and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), RIVM is responsible for substantive medical policy on infectious disease control. The GGDs are responsible for implementing infectious disease control at the regional level. RIVM supports the GGDs in these efforts and is responsible at the national level.  

Microbial diagnostic testing is the process of making a diagnosis based on a screening test in a laboratory. This is not only important for individual patients, but also for the health of all other people in the Netherlands. Reliable laboratory data is essential for gaining a clear understanding of the presence and spread of infectious diseases.

Detecting and monitoring infectious diseases is referred to as surveillance. This has always been one of RIVM’s most important tasks. The sooner RIVM is able to gain insight in the spread of infectious diseases, and the greater that insight is, the better we can prevent such diseases from spreading further.