RIVM international newsletter 28 september 2023 |
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Preventing and controlling infectious diseases | Pandemic Preparedness: HERA visits RIVM | On 11 September 2023, the EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) Deputy Director Laurent Muschel visited RIVM with a small delegation. Jaap van Dissel, Director of the RIVM Centre for Infectious Disease Control, welcomed the delegation. They were introduced to RIVM's work on CBRN activities, the National Functionality for Scaling up Infectious Disease Control (LFI) and National Wastewater Surveillance. The visiting delegates were very interested, and we look forward to continued cooperation with HERA in preparing Europe against serious cross-border health threats.
| European prize for Dutch mobile vaccination units | | The mobile vaccination units used in the Netherlands have been selected as a best-practice method for the European project ‘Overcoming Obstacles to Vaccination’. The five best practices were selected by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Read more in this news item. | | International Review of COVID-19 modelling | | An international audit committee of scientific experts, commissioned by the RIVM Scientific Advisory Board, reviewed the institute’s COVID-19 data analytics and modelling work. These models and data sets formed a scientific basis for recommendations by the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) and others on COVID-19 control measures in the Netherlands. Read more in this news item. | COVID-19 vaccination: new round for risk groups | | A new vaccination round against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 started in September 2023. The main target group in this round is people who have a higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. Care workers who have direct contact with patients will also have the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnant women are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination throughout the year. Read more in this news item. | Rise in enteric infections in 2022 | | In 2022, the number of enteric infections – which mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms – was higher than in the previous two years. However, the total number of infections was still lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic. This was evident from the 2022 annual report on enteric infections and zoonoses. Read more in this news item. | Number of Lyme disease diagnoses remains high in the Netherlands | | In 2021, the number of Lyme disease diagnoses with a red ring or rash – known as an erythema migrans, or EM – remained as high as in the previous survey, which took place in 2017. GPs diagnosed 25,600 patients with a red ring or rash caused by the Lyme bacteria. For the first time since the recurring surveys started in 1994, this number had not increased. Read more in this news item. | Safe, clean and healthy environment | Water Safety Planning: working visit by ministerial delegation from Barbados | Hon. Miss Santia J. O. Bradshaw, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works and Water for Barbados, visited RIVM last July. A delegation from the Barbados Water Authority accompanied her. RIVM organised the working visit at the invitation of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The delegation visited the Netherlands to gain knowledge on water management and safety. During the visit, talks were held with ministries, water boards and water treatment companies. As a small island state, Barbados is vulnerable to climate change and its impact on water resources. The theme of the visit was Water Safety Planning, focusing on microbiological and chemical risks, contaminants and availability of drinking water. RIVM shared knowledge on water safety planning, antimicrobial resistance in the water cycle, and additional sources and restrictions on use of drinking water. Visit the RIVM website for more information on water safety planning, AMR and drinking water.
| Direct link between Tata Steel emissions, nuisance and risk of disease | | The current level of emissions from the Tata Steel site causes an elevated risk of disease for people who live in the IJmond region. The greatest improvements in public health in the region can be achieved by reducing nuisance caused by and exposure to Tata Steel emissions. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM. This is not the first study on the health of people living in the IJmond region: the Municipal Public Health Service, RIVM and other research institutions have investigated this topic before. However, many of those studies focused on only part of the chain that links emissions to health impact. This new study looked at the entire chain and addressed a variety of substances. Read more in this news item. | CBRN preparedness and response: EAU participation in FORMATEX23 | | In September, RIVM’s Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) participated in FORMATEX23 in Austria. FORMATEX is a European simulation exercise that aims to improve preparedness and response to Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Disasters (Natech). The EAU addressed emergencies due to large-scale flooding of the Danube River, in collaboration with other teams. Read more about the lessons learned and the EAU on this webpage. | | People in the Netherlands ingest too much PFAS | | The quantity of PFAS that people in the Netherlands may be ingesting through food and drinking water exceeds the health-based guidance value. Fish is the biggest contributor to PFAS exposure through food. The PFAS level in drinking water depends on the type of water used as a source. Read more in this news item. | Sizeable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 | | In 2022, the emission of greenhouse gasses was 7.9 percent lower than in 2021. This is mainly due to the high prices of natural gas. These prices led to lower natural gas consumption by industry, the built environment and agriculture. Another factor was the mild winter compared to 2021. In 2021, greenhouse gas emissions rose by 1.8 percent compared to 2020. Read more in this news item. | RIVM develops Groundwater Risk Assessment Toolbox | | This risk assessment toolbox allows local authorities to quickly determine whether a specific groundwater application is safe. They can then take action if necessary. The toolbox assesses the possible risks of hazardous chemicals in groundwater. Read more in this news item. | Offshore wind turbines: coating potentially harmful to environment | | Epoxy coatings and ‘sacrificial metals’ can be used to protect wind turbines against corrosion. These materials may release chemicals. RIVM has investigated whether this could be harmful to human health and the environment. It has also made an estimate of the amount of plastic particles released due to wear and tear of the turbine blades. More in this news item. | Healthcare and healthy lifestyle | First WHO meeting on Behavioural and Cultural insights for Health |  | On 12-14 September, the first WHO regional meeting on 'Behavioural and Cultural insights (BCI) for Health' took place at the European UN-City in Copenhagen, Denmark. As the National WHO Focal Point for Behavioural and Cultural Insights, Mariken Leurs (RIVM) represented the Netherlands at the gathering. She presented the Dutch approach to behavioural sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The main objective of the meeting was to advance the implementation of the WHO Euro resolution and a 5-year regional action framework on BCI for health. Key calls to action included that mechanisms established by public health authorities to allow cross-disciplinary collaboration, and integration of BCI to maximise value and impact across health areas. For more information on Behavioural Science at RIVM, visit: Behavioural science. For information on the resolution, action framework and BCI support materials, visit: Behavioural and cultural insights EURO (who.int)
| 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences | The 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (WC12), held in Canada on 27-31 August 2023, brought together different scientific disciplines and stakeholders working on the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments. This year’s focus was on the replacement of animal testing and regulatory acceptance of and education about animal-free innovations. RIVM colleague Anne Kienhuis presented the VHP4Safety project, co-led by RIVM, which researches the assessment of chemical and pharmaceutical safety without using laboratory animals. RIVM colleague Victoria de Leeuw introduced the new network Young TPI (chaired by her), which unites young people working on this topic. Read more about Alternatives to animal testing.
| First national COVID-19 monitor on mental healthcare for groups that are difficult to reach | The health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated measures are perceived very differently by vulnerable groups in society. Examples include the homeless, people with mental health issues, and care avoiders. All these groups are traditionally more difficult to reach, and were not able to count on receiving the care and/or help that they need. Varying experiences were also reported as to whether the offered care that they received was sufficient. Read more in this news item.
See also Half of post-traumatic stress disorder related to pandemic | RIVM
| Self-sampling device simplifies cervical cancer screening | | As of July, all women in the Netherlands turning 30 will receive a self-sampling device by post. The device allows them to take part in the population screening at home, at a time that suits them. Screening by means of a smear test at a GP practice will remain possible as well. Read more in this news item. | |
