The hibernation of Coutinho lasted until 2000, when after more than 20 years at the public health division of the Amsterdam GGD, Coutinho became scientific director of the entire institute. In his new position his role as expert changed. HIV/Aids was still on his agenda, as were venereal diseases in general, but as the second crisis called for experts to master a wide array of human and veterinary infectious agents, he also had to inform the public on a broad portfolio of diseases. The number of public appearances increased dramatically, and he once again became a familiar figure in the newspapers. 14 This increasing diversity of topics was welcomed, but it also implied challenges, as he now had to keep track of all kinds of developments and topics that went beyond his original expertise (Coutinho 25 July 2008) .