Dutch hospitals are seeing a growing number of patients admitted with respiratory infections, putting a strain on healthcare resources. The increase isn’t solely due to influenza, but too includes other viruses like coronavirus and rhinovirus, commonly known as the common cold.
The Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has recently begun receiving weekly data on the number of individuals hospitalized with respiratory infections requiring intensive care. This expanded surveillance system, initiated in September 2025, aims to provide a clearer picture of the severity of these infections and their impact on the healthcare system. Understanding the scope of respiratory illnesses is crucial for public health preparedness and resource allocation.
While most respiratory infections resolve on their own, some cases can turn into severe enough to necessitate hospitalization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals faced significant strain due to the high number of patients with serious respiratory illness. Similarly, annual flu epidemics can also place a considerable burden on healthcare facilities.
Previously, the RIVM relied on signals from hospitals, but lacked comprehensive and reliable data at a national level. The new weekly data on intensive care admissions will facilitate officials better monitor both the spread and severity of respiratory infections. This information can inform decisions about potential measures to limit infection spread and reduce pressure on hospitals when necessary.
The RIVM monitors respiratory infections through various data streams, including reports from family doctors on the number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and data from Infectieradar on reported symptoms. Still, until recently, there was limited information on the number of people requiring hospitalization due to these infections. The new data collection, a collaboration between the National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE) foundation, the Dutch Association for Intensive Care (NVIC), and participating Intensive Care units, addresses this gap.
