[Recent changes in the epidemiology of infectious diseases in the Netherlands: the report 'Status of infectious diseases in the Netherlands, 2000-2005'].

Based on the changes in the epidemiology of infectious diseases in the Netherlands in 2000-2005, it is possible to formulate a prediction for the immediate future. Developments that one may expect with a reasonable amount of certainty are a further rise in sexually transmitted diseases, continued vulnerability for infectious diseases for which the State Vaccination Programme distributes vaccines, a slow increase in bacterial resistance, an increase in opportunistic infections, and growing risks for the introduction of new micro-organisms via international travel and trade. Much less certain are the developments surrounding avian influenza A/H5N1, ticks and mosquitoes, the rise and spread of new diseases, and bioterrorism.