Experts warn Netherlands not ready for large-scale tuberculosis outbreak

The KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has warned that the Netherlands is not ready for a large-scale tuberculosis outbreak. A sudden surge in infections, such as might occur during a major war or crisis with large numbers of refugees arriving, could cause the country’s TB monitoring system to fail within a month, according to the foundation.

Although TB infection rates in the Netherlands are low compared with other European countries, the Foundation warns this may foster “a false sense of security.”

Expertise among GPs is waning, medicine shortages exist, and modern, shorter treatment regimens common elsewhere are not yet offered in the Netherlands. The foundation highlights that the country still relies on outdated therapies “while the rest of the world moves to modern, short courses using drugs like rifapentine.”

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Those infected may struggle to breathe and can also develop fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, and night sweats. While the disease is treatable with medication, untreated TB can cause serious complications and may be fatal.

Last year, the Netherlands reported 869 cases of tuberculosis, the highest figure since 2016. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment attributes the rise to the arrival of asylum seekers from countries with high TB prevalence. Of the cases, 161 involved recent arrivals, up from 75 the year before, with most patients originating from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.