NOS Nieuws•
The annual influenza epidemic in the Netherlands has officially begun. The RIVM reports that 59 out of 100,000 people visited their doctor with flu-like symptoms. The week before, this number was 51 out of 100,000 people.
“This is for the second week in a row above the established threshold of 46 per 100,000 inhabitants for increased flu activity,” says the RIVM. The number of people with respiratory complaints increased last week. This also applies to the number of people who actually have the flu.
Researchers look at both the number of people who go to the doctor and how often the flu virus is found in samples taken. A week ago the RIVM already said that an epidemic seemed imminent.
Surgeries Postponed
The RIVM says there are no major problems for healthcare, but hospitals can take extra measures if necessary. “They may reserve specific departments for flu patients, so they are together.”
The flu is causing problems in some places. For example, the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Dordrecht was forced to postpone some operations due to increased pressure than usual.
There are now many people admitted with severe flu symptoms. Urgent procedures, such as in the oncology department, will continue, the hospital with locations in Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht and Sliedrecht reports.
Threshold Value
Last year, the threshold for an epidemic was at least 53 per 100,000 people reporting flu symptoms to their doctor for two consecutive weeks. This year, that number is 46 per 100,000 people. An RIVM spokesperson says that this number is determined annually based on various factors.
Last year, the annual flu epidemic ended in January. The flu epidemic also started at the end of January in 2024.
