Nivel relies on samples from hospital laboratories and GGD test streets. Whether there is an epidemic is also determined using samples that GPs take from patients.
Decrease in the number of flu cases
Last week, an influenza virus was found in the laboratory of the RIVM in 31 percent of these samples. In the weeks before that, this was 32 percent and 53 percent respectively. Until mid-April this percentage was between 70 and 80 percent. “It remains to be seen whether these decreases continue to the level before the flu epidemic,” says Nivel.
The weekly sample of GPs consists of dozens of samples. About 45 general practices in the country report the number of patients with flu symptoms.
