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.

The Netherlands is better equipped to handle a major outbreak of disease when it is well-prepared. That is why the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is strengthening and enhancing infectious disease control in the Netherlands, as commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).

During an infectious disease crisis, it is important to implement appropriate measures in good time. The mayor, chair of the security region, or government minister is responsible for deciding that. The medical specialists in infectious disease control at the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advise these decision-makers about possible measures. Advisory opinions based on the latest professional knowledge in medicine and epidemiology are urgently needed in this context. The Centre for Infectious Disease Control plays a key role in compiling relevant knowledge. To streamline this process, the CIb has a structure for scaling up response. 

The World Health Organization has designated RIVM as a reference laboratory for coronaviruses. As such, RIVM participates in the SARS-CoV-2 reference laboratory network known as CoViNet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated RIVM reference laboratory for COVID-19. A recognition of our wide-ranging and in-depth expertise on coronaviruses. This video anwers 4 questions about the WHO reference laboratory for COVID-19. Watch the video.