Species: Mammals

Disease general

Research results

European polecat kills rabbit, then dies of injuries inflicted by the rabbit (12/01/2023)
Two foxes in east of Groningen diagnosed with Avian influenza virus (03/06/2021)
Second DWHC interim report on the investigation of hedgehogs (27/11/2019)
Tularaemia confirmed in the provinces of North Holland, Overijssel and Limburg (18/11/2019)
Reappearance of tularaemia in the province of Utrecht (30/09/2019)
Rabbit mortality caused by RHDV-2 continues in 2019 (18/09/2019)
Results ‘focus species’ 2018: the roe deer (12/08/2019)
Badger with lung tumor (15/07/2019)
Wild boar mortality Veluwe 2019 (02/07/2019)
Fawns fatal to doe (29/05/2019)
Reappearance of tularaemia in the province of Overijssel (24/04/2019)
Not all hares die due to tularaemia (13/12/2018)
Breast lump in roe deer due to sweat gland cancer (16/11/2018)
Unicellular parasite Encephalitozoon in hares (18/10/2018)
Indication that Tick-borne encephalitis virus is present at several locations in the Netherlands. (11/07/2018)
Beaver with mid ear infection (11/06/2018)
Completed investigation of seal mortalities in Brouwersdam (10/04/2018)
Results focus species 2017: Weasel and stoat (15/02/2018)
Hare with growth on nose (06/02/2018)
Mixed diet for Nijswiller wildcat (07/12/2017)
Dead wolf: healthy but days without food (06/12/2017)
Brain tumour caused odd behaviour in a beaver (19/10/2017)
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease type-2 still present (19/09/2017)
Meningitis cause of abnormal behaviour in Roe deer (05/07/2017)
Skin lesions in a red deer (28/02/2017)
Distemper in a stone marten (23/02/2017)
First case of RHDV-2 in a hare in the Netherlands (12/01/2017)
Killed by an acorn! (22/12/2016)
Toxoplasmosis in red squirrels, an update (01/12/2016)
Reappearance of tularemia in the central Netherlands (21/10/2016)
Deadly rabbit disease throughout the Netherlands (18/08/2016)
Toxoplasmosis identified as cause of death in a fox (27/05/2016)
Toxoplasmosis in red squirrels; keep reporting dead red squirrels to the DWHC (02/04/2016)
Demodex mites associated with alopecia in deer (31/03/2016)
A new case of tularemia in a hare from Friesland (27/01/2016)
New variant of rabbit virus also found in wild rabbits (08/01/2016)
Why does VHD (RHD) pose such a risk to wild rabbits? (16/12/2015)
New case of scabies in a fox in Limburg (03/12/2015)
Red squirrels dying from toxoplasmosis (11/10/2015)
Tularemia also found in hares in Gelderland (16/07/2015)
No evidence of tuberculosis in badgers in the Netherlands (08/07/2015)
Zoonotic diseases in hares (30/04/2015)
Toxoplasma in a stone marten (21/04/2015)
Update: Tularemia in Friesland (20/04/2015)
Update: Tularemia in Friesland and Overijssel (30/03/2015)
Hares don’t only get tularemia… (27/03/2015)
Tularemia also found in hares in Friesland (26/02/2015)
Second raccoon found to be infected with raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) (15/01/2015)
Raccoon roundworm found in a raccoon in the Netherlands (15/11/2014)
Death in squirrels difficult to explain (25/09/2014)
Tularemia also found in a hare from Utrecht (21/05/2014)
Minutes of the badger meeting 5th April 2014 (01/05/2014)
Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus found in deer (15/03/2013)
Fox with bacterial meningitis (30/01/2012)
Poisoning in wildlife (18/01/2012)
2010 – 2011: A retrospective look at Q-fever in deer (15/06/2011)
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in a hare (30/04/2011)
2010: Health status of roadkill deer in Utrecht province (29/12/2010)
Unusual tumor in the nasal cavity of a deer (01/06/2009)

General news

The roe deer: DWHC focus species 2018 (17/01/2018)
Investigating causes of disease in raccoons and raccoon dogs (07/09/2017)
Weasel and stoat: Interim report DWHC focus species 2017 (24/07/2017)
Re-emergence of tularemia in Kromme Rijn (19/04/2017)
Provisional results from continuing investigations into agents of disease in raccoon dogs and raccoons (22/03/2017)
Animal found on the A28 motorway was a wild wolf (14/03/2017)
Stoat and weasel: DWHC focus species 2017 (01/02/2017)
Research into the public health risk posed by raccoon dogs and raccoons to continue in 2016 (03/03/2016)
Changes to tularemia testing program in 2016 (15/01/2016)
Grey seals prey on harbour porpoises (23/11/2015)
Zoonotic parasites found in raccoon dogs in the Netherlands – results from RIVM study (16/11/2015)
Common minke whale carcase found on ship’s bow in Rotterdam harbour (09/11/2015)
Don’t touch bats with your bare hands! (16/07/2015)
Do raccoon dogs pose a risk to public health? Help us by reporting finding a dead raccoon dog (22/10/2014)
Collision with a ship most likely cause of death in stranded rorqual (04/09/2014)
Five unusual strandings of four different species of sea mammal (01/10/2013)
2009 – 2010: National surveillance of infection and disease in deer with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus infection (pilot) (25/11/2009)

Publications

Diversity of Hepatozoon species in wild mammals and ticks in Europe. Uiterwijk, M., L. Vojta, N. Šprem, A. Beck, D. Jurković, M. Kik, G. G. Duscher, A. Hodžić, S. Reljić, H. Sprong & R. Beck. Parasites Vectors 16, 27 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05626-8
Zoonotic Mutation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Identified in the Brain of Multiple Wild Carnivore Species. Vreman, S., M. Kik, E. Germeraad, R. Heutink, F. Harders, M. Spierenburg, M. Engelsma, J. Rijks, J. van den Brand & N. Beerens. Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020168
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Wild Red Foxes, the Netherlands, 2021. Rijks, J. M., H. Hesselink, P. Lollinga, R. Wesselman, P. Prins, E. Weesendorp, M. Engelsma, R. Heutink, F. Harders, M. Kik, H. Rozendaal, H. van den Kerkhof, & N. Beerens (2021). Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(11), 2960-2962. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2711.211281.
Population genetics, invasion pathways and public health risks of the raccoon and its roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis in northwestern Europe. Maas, M., R. Tatem-Dokter, J. M. Rijks, C. Dam-Deisz, F. Franssen, H. van Bolhuis, M. Heddergott, A. Schleimer, V. Schockert, C. Lambinet, P. Hubert, T. Redelijk, R. Janssen, A. P. Lopes Cruz, I. Campos Martinez, Y. Caron, A. Linden, C. Lesenfants, J. Paternostre, J. van der Giessen & A. C. Frantz (2021). Transbound Emerg Dis. 2021 Jul 5. doi: 10.1111/tbed.14218. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34227236/
The effectiveness of bovine tuberculosis surveillance in Dutch badgers. Orrico M., G. van Schaik, A. Koets, J van den Broek, M. Montizaan, M. La Haye & J. M. Rijks 10 Jun 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) Transboundary and emerging diseases. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34110708/
Application of the World Café method to discuss the efficiency of African swine fever control strategies in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations. Jori F., E. Chenais, F. Boinas, P. Busauskas, S. Dholllander, L. Fleischmann, E. Olsevskis, J.M. Rijks, K. Schulz, H.H. Thulke, A. Viltrop & K. Stahl (2020). Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 185, [105178]. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105178
Lack of evidence for the presence of leprosy bacilli in red squirrels from north-west Europe. Tió-Coma M, H. Sprong, M. Kik, J.T. van Dissel, X-Y. Han, T. Pieters & A. Geluk (epub 2019). Transbound Emerg Dis. 2020; 67, p. 1032-1034. doi: 10.1111/tbed.13423
Prosthetic valve endocarditis with Bartonella washoensis in a human European patient and its detection in Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Loewenich F. D. von, C. Seckert, E. Dauber, M.J.L. Kik , A. de Vries, H. Sprong, K. Buschmann, M.L. Aardema & M. Brandstetter (epub 2019). J Clin Microbiol., 58(1). pii: e01404-19. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01404-19.
Phylogeographic Distribution of Human and Hare Francisella Tularensis Subsp. Holarctica Strains in the Netherlands and Its Pathology in European Brown Hares (Lepus Europaeus). Koene M., J. Rijks, M. Maas, R. Ruuls, M. Engelsma, P.r van Tulden, M. Kik, J. IJzer, D. Notermans, M.de Vries, E. Fanoy, R. Pijnacker, M. Spierenburg, H. Bavelaar, H. Berkhout, S.Sankatsing, R. Diepersloot, K.Myrtennas, M.Granberg, M. Forsman, H.J. Roest & A.Gröne (2019). Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol., 11 February 2019
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Antibodies in Roe Deer, the Netherlands. Rijks, J. M., M.G.E. Montizaan, N. Bakker, A. de Vries, S. van Gucht, C. Swaan, J. van den Broek, A. Gröne. & H. Sprong (2019). Emerging Infectious Diseases. 25, 2, p. 342-345 4 p..
Role of mustelids in the life-cycle of ixodid ticks and transmission cycles of four tickborne pathogens. Hofmeester T.R., A. I. Krawczyk, A. Docters van Leeuwen, M. Fonville, M. G. E. Montizaan, K. van den Berge, J. Gouwy, S. C. Ruyts, K. Verheyen & H. Sprong (2018). Parasites & Vectors 2018 Nov 20;11(1):600. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-3126-8.
Environmental surveillance during an outbreak of tularaemia in hares, the Netherlands, 2015. Janse I. M. Maas, J.M. Rijks, M. Koene, T.Q.J. van der Plaats, M. Engelsma, P. van der Tas, M. Braks, A. Stroo, D.W. Notermans, M.C. de Vries, F. Reubsaet, E. Fanoy, C. Swaan, M.J.L. Kik, J. IJzer, R.I. Jaarsma, S. van Wieren, A.M. de Roda-Husman, M. van Passel, H.J. Roest, J. van der Giessen. Environmental surveillance during an outbreak of tularaemia in hares, the Netherlands, 2015. Euro Surveill. 2017;22(35):pii=30607. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.35.30607
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Ticks and Roe Deer, the Netherlands. Jahfari, S., A. de Vries, J.M. Rijks, S. van Gucht, H. Vennema, H.Sprong & B. Rockx (2017). Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Jun. DOI: 10.3201/eid2306.161247
First findings of Trichinella spiralis and DNA of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild raccoon dogs in the Netherlands. Miriam Maas, Sanne van den End, Annika van Roon, Jaap Mulder, Frits Franssen, Cecile Dam-Deisz, Margriet Montizaan, Joke van der Giessen (2016). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.09.001
Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild red squirrels, the Netherlands, 2014 [letter]. Kik M, IJzer J, Opsteegh M, Montizaan M, Dijkstra V, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Dec. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2112.141711
Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) induced granulomatous dermatitis in a harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena and a bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncates. van Beurden, S.J., L.L. IJsseldijk, H.J.W.M. Cremers, A.Gröne, M.H. Verheije & L. Begeman (2015). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Jan 15;112(3):257-63, DOI: 10.3354/dao02818 Klik hier voor meer informatie.
Exposing the grey seal as a major predator of harbour porpoises. Leopold,M.F., L. Begeman, J.D.L. van Bleijswijk, L.L. IJsseldijk, H.J. Witte & A.Gröne (2014). Proceedings of the Royal Society Biology, DOI 10.1098/rspb.2014.2429 Klik hier voor meer informatie.
A Record of Twin Fetuses in a Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Stranded on the Dutch Coast. Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Andrea Gröne, Sjoukje Hiemstra, Jeroen Hoekendijk, Lineke Begeman (2014) Journal of Aquatic Mammals 40(4), 394-397, DOI 10.1578/AM.40.4.2014.394
Apparent Emergence of Bow-Caught Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) Found in the Netherlands. IJsseldijk L.L., J. Steenbergen, A. Gröne, S. Hiemstra, M.J.L. Kik & L. Begeman (2014) Journal of Aquatic Mammals 40(4), 317-321, DOI 10.1578/AM.40.4.2014.317
Detection of grey seal Halichoerus grypus DNA in attack wounds on stranded harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena. van Bleijswijk, J.D.L. L. Begeman, H.J. Witte, L.L. IJsseldijk, S.M.J.M. Brasseur, A.Gröne & M.F. Leopold (2014) Marine Ecology Progress Series 513, 277–281, DOI 10.3354/meps11004 Klik hier voor meer informatie.
Factsheet African Swine Fever 2017
The first wolf found in the Netherlands in 150 years was the victim of a wildlife crime. Gravendeel, B., G.A. de Groot, M. Kik, K. Beentjes, H. Bergman, R. Caniglia, H. Cremers, E. Fabbri, D. Groenenberg, A. Grone, G.W.T.A. Groot Bruinderink, I.Font, J. Hakhof, V. Harms, H.A.H. Jansman, R. Janssen, D.R. Lammertsma, I. Laros, L. Linnartz, D. van der Marel, J.L. Mulder, S. van der Mije, A.M. Nieman, C. Nowak, E. Randi, M. Rijks, A. Speksnijder & H.B. Vonhof (2013). Lutra 56 (2013)2. - ISSN 0024-7634 - p. 93 - 109.
Tularaemia in a brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in 2013: first case in the Netherlands in 60 years. Rijks J.M., M. Kik, M.G. Koene, M.Y. Engelsma, P van Tulden, M.G. Montizaan, T. Oomen, M.A. Spierenburg, J. IJzer, J.W. van der Giessen, A. Gröne & H.J. Roest. (2013). Euro Surveill. 2013 Dec 5;18(49). pii: 20655. Euro Surveill. 2013 Dec 5;18(49). pii: 20655.
Coxiella burnetii Infection in Roe Deer during Q Fever Epidemic, the Netherlands Rijks JM, Roest HIJ, van Tulden PW, Kik MJL, IJzer J, Gröne A. (2011) Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2011, 17 (12): 2369 - 2370 Klik hier voor meer informatie
Stage-structured transmission of phocine distemper virus in the Dutch 2002 outbreak. Klepac P, Pomeroy LW, Bjørnstad ON, Kuiken T, Osterhaus AD & Rijks JM. (2009) Proc Biol Sci. 2009 Jul 7; 276(1666):2469-7 Klik hier voor meer informatie
Quantitative analysis of the 2002 phocine distemper epidemic in the Netherlands. Rijks JM, Read FL, van de Bildt MW, van Bolhuis HG, Martina BE, Wagenaar JA, van der Meulen K, Osterhaus AD & Kuiken T. (2008) Veterinary Pathology, 2008, 45(4):516-30. Klik hier voor meer informatie.
Heterozygosity and lungworm burden in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). Rijks JM, Hoffman JI, Kuiken T, Osterhaus AD & Amos W. (2008) Heredity,2008, 100(6):587-93. Klik hier voor meer informatie.
Fatal enterocolitis in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) caused by infection with Eimeria phocae. van Bolhuis GH, Philippa JD, Gajadhar AA, Osterhaus AD & Kuiken T. (2007). Veterinary Record, 2007,160(9):297-300. Klik hier voor meer informatie
Confirmation and phylogenetic analysis of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus in free-living rabbits from the Netherlands. van de Bildt MW, van Bolhuis GH, van Zijderveld F, van Riel D, Drees JM, Osterhaus AD & Kuiken T. (2006). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2006, 42(4):808-12. Link to abstract.
Phocine distemper outbreak, The Netherlands, 2002. Rijks JM, Van de Bildt MW, Jensen T, Philippa JD, Osterhaus AD & Kuiken T (2005). Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2005, 11(12):1945-8. Klik hier voor meer informatie.