In 2024, more people became ill from salmonella again, just like in 2023. More poultry farms were also infected with this bacterium. The Salmonella Enteritidis type was particularly prevalent. The number of bird flu infections at poultry farms was lower than in 2023. This and more is included in the State of Zoonoses, a report published annually by the RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority)).

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. The State of Zoonoses shows how often these diseases occur in the Netherlands and which are the most common.

More Salmonella Infections in 2024

Salmonella is a bacterium and is highly contagious. The bacterium can be found in eggs, chicken, or other meats. Usually, salmonella is on the eggshell. People can get sick if the bacterium from a raw egg comes into contact with their mouth via their hands. Or, for example, by eating raw eggs or undercooked eggs, chicken, or other meats.

In 2024, more chickens were infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. It is not yet clear why there are more infections at these farms. This is under investigation.

Bird Flu Less Common at Farms

In 2024, there were two infections with bird flu (variant H5N1) at poultry farms. This is less than in 2023. No humans in the Netherlands became infected with bird flu.

Special Infections in 2024

In 2024, for the first time, a cat in the Netherlands became infected with a lyssavirus. This is a type of rabies that occurs in bats. There was also an outbreak of bird flu among dairy cows in the United States. Cows in the Netherlands were tested, but the disease was not found. There are now good tests available to test cows if necessary.

Diseases Transmitted by Ticks and Mosquitoes

This year, the State of Zoonoses also provides information about diseases transmitted by ticks or mosquitoes. In the Netherlands, for example, Lyme disease occurs, which someone can get from a tick bite.

In 2024, no people in the Netherlands became infected with diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, malaria, or West Nile virus. Some people contracted these diseases abroad or in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.