The Netherlands is officially in the grip of a flu epidemic, with the number of people visiting their GP with flu-like symptoms exceeding the threshold for the second consecutive week, health authorities announced on Wednesday.
According to the RIVM, 59 per 100,000 people visited their GP with flu-like symptoms last week, up from 51 the week before. Both figures exceed the epidemic threshold of 46 per 100,000, which means the annual flu epidemic has now officially begun. The threshold is recalculated each year based on various factors and was set at 53 per 100,000 last season.
The flu virus is also being detected more frequently in laboratory samples. Of the 55 samples taken from patients with flu-like symptoms at GP practices last week, 30 tested positive for influenza, a detection rate of 55 percent. This is higher than in previous weeks, when the rate hovered around 40 percent.
Hospital under pressure
While the RIVM says there are no major problems for the healthcare system at a national level, the epidemic has already caused disruption at individual hospitals. The Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis in Dordrecht has been forced to postpone non-urgent operations due to an influx of patients with severe flu symptoms.
The hospital, which has locations in Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht and Sliedrecht, said many patients are currently being admitted with serious flu-related conditions. At the same time, dozens of patients who have completed their medical treatment cannot be discharged because there are no available places in nursing homes, rehabilitation centres or home care services. This combination is creating significant pressure on hospital capacity.
Urgent procedures, including operations for children and cancer patients, are continuing as normal. The hospital expects the pressure to increase further due to the school holidays and the start of carnival on Friday.
The RIVM said hospitals can take their own measures where necessary, such as reserving specific wards for flu patients to keep them together.
Photo Credits: Martha Dominguez de Gouveia/Unsplash
Later start than last year
This year's epidemic began about two weeks later than last year's. In 2025, the epidemic was officially declared in the last week of January and peaked in early February, when 118 per 100,000 people visited their GP with flu-like symptoms. That was the first time since 2020 that the figure exceeded 100. The epidemic had subsided by the end of March.
Current levels remain well below last year's peak, though the number of cases is still rising. Besides influenza, other respiratory viruses are also circulating, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal coronaviruses and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Risk groups and prevention
The flu is caused by the influenza virus and typically begins suddenly, with symptoms including fever up to 39 degrees or higher, chills, runny nose, headache, muscle pain, cough and fatigue. The fever usually lasts three to five days, but full recovery can take several weeks.
While most people recover without medical intervention, certain groups face higher risks of serious illness. These include people over 60, those with lung conditions such as asthma or COPD, people with diabetes, and those with weakened immune systems.
In the Netherlands, everyone over 60 is offered a free flu vaccination, as are people with chronic health conditions. The uptake rate hovers around 55 percent.
The RIVM advises people who are sick to stay home and avoid contact with vulnerable individuals. Those who are not sick but have symptoms should work from home where possible. Other recommendations include coughing and sneezing into the elbow, keeping distance from others, and wearing a face mask when contact with vulnerable people is unavoidable.
Surveillance changes ahead
From 1 March 2026, Nivel will change how it reports on flu and other respiratory infections. Due to limited public funding, the institute will stop reporting specifically on flu-like illness and will instead report on all acute respiratory infections combined. Nivel and RIVM will continue to monitor the circulation of respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2.
