EPI-ICE

-Automatic translation

EPI-ICE is an electronic newsletter from the Chief Epidemiologist on communicable diseases in Iceland. It discusses various infectious diseases, vaccinations, and the main events that have occurred in recent months.

Editorial Board

The Office of Communicable Disease Control, Hildigunnur Anna Hall, editor, Guðrún Aspelund, responsible party.

Volume 16. Issue 4. December 2024 (Icelandic): E. coli STEC outbreak at a preschool in Reykjavik. Awareness campaign on antimicrobial resistance. Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers towards individuals with HIV. Participation in Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations during pregnancy.
Volume 16. Issue 3. September 2024 (Icelandic): Hospital infections and antibiotic use in EU/EEA countries 2022–2023. Settlement of respiratory infections in Iceland in the winter of 2023–2024. Surveillance of severe respiratory infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV. Continued increase in the incidence of gonorrhea.
Volume 16. Issue 2. June 2024 (Icelandic): Increase in measles, whooping cough and mumps after COVID-19. Mycoplasma respiratory tract infections in winter 2023-24. Avian influenza among mammals. The European Union's health program EU4Health.
Volume 16. Issue 1. April 2024 (Icelandic): Participation in autumn vaccinations decreases. Updating contingency plans. Increasing frequency of infections caused by listeria in Europe. The use of antibiotics was similar in 2022 and 2023.

Volume 14. Issue 3. November 2021 (Icelandic): The situation of COVID-19 in Iceland. Vaccinations and vaccines in the third quarter of 2021. Syphilis in Iceland in 2021 - increase in infections among heterosexuals. Salmonella typhimurium group infection. Antibiotic Awareness.
Volume 14. Issue 2. July 2021 (Icelandic): Vaccinations against COVID-19. Fourth wave of COVID-19. Group infection in a kindergarten in April 2021. Border measures. New variants of SARS-CoV-2. Report on a COVID-19 group infection in Landakot Hospital. Influenza. Venereal diseases. Salmonella.
Volume 14. Issue 1. February 2021 (Icelandic): Vaccinations against COVID-19 in Iceland. Downswing of the third wave of COVID-19 in Iceland. Border measures. Comparison with neighboring countries. The situation in February 2021. New variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Annual influenza.

Volume 13. Issue 4. November 2020: Autumn upswing of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public measures against COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19. Comparison with other Nordic countries. The situation at the end of October. Pandemic fatigue. Other respiratory infections.
Volume 13. Issue 3. July 2020: The rise and fall of the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020. Public measures against the COVID-19 epidemic. What determinants influenced the decline of the COVID-19 epidemic? The situation in mid-2020. Sexually transmitted diseases
Volume 13. Issue 2. April 2020: Pandemic caused by COVID-19. Annual Influenza. Sexually transmitted diseases. Botulism detected in Iceland.
Volume 13. Issue 1. January 2020: (Icelandic): Pandemic caused by COVID-19. Annual Influenza. Sexually transmitted diseases. Botulism detected in Iceland.

Volume 12. Issue 4. October 2019: Sexually transmitted diseases. Hepatitis C. Nordic conference on health preparedness. Outbreak of serious E. coli bacteria infections
in children.
Volume 12. Issue 3. July 2019: Sexually transmitted diseases. Changes in notification and reporting of communicable diseases. Additions to the childhood vaccination program in Iceland. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Measures against the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Volume 12. Issue 2. April 2019: Measles in Iceland. Listeriosis. Tuberculosis. Legionellosis. Yersiniosis. Influenza during the winter season 2018-2019.
Volume 12. Issue 1. January 2019: Sexually transmitted diseases in 2018. Influenza in the autumn of 2018. Norovirus infections related to oysters. Childhood Vaccination Day. Infection Control Day 2018. New report on antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Volume 11. Issue 4. October 2018: An advance-purchase agreement for pandemic
influenza vaccine. New guidelines on response to microbial contamination of drinking water and guidance for the public about boiling drinking water. Listeria in European vegetables. Measles on board airplanes. Prophylactic treatment of HIV infection because of sexual intercourse. Men who have sex with men (MSM) and blood donations. Use of antimicrobials in 2017.
Volume 11. Issue 3. July 2018: Measles on board Icelandair airplanes. Is there a risk of measles epidemics in Iceland? New Regulation on the treatment and transfer
of cadavers. Salmonella outbreak in an Icelandic cargo ship. Sexually transmitted diseases. Measures against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Measures against antimicrobial resistance.
Volume 11. Issue 2. April 2018: Influenza during the winter of 2017-2018. New Year‘s Eve 2017-2018. Contamination of drinking water in Reykjavik. Sexually transmitted diseases.
The response of health authorities to the increased spread of STDs. Implementation of IHR-2005. Cooperation agreement on a preparedness and response plan for CBRN. Emergency classification and injury assessment.
Volume 11. Issue 1. January 2018: Reportable diseases in the autumn of 2017. Gastroenteritis in the autumn of 2017. Influenza in the autumn of 2017. Impact of imports of fresh food on human health. Response and response plans. Child vaccination day. Infection Control Day 2017. Actions to promote the prudent use of antimicrobials.

Volume 10. Issue 4. October 2017: Reportable diseases in the summer of 2017. Outbreaks in the summer of 2017. Preparedness for radio nuclear dangers.
Volume 10. Issue 2. April: Measles. Sexually transmitted diseases in 2016. Response to the spread of STDs. Shigellosis. Seasonal influenza 2016–2017. Preparedness plan for ports and vessels. Pollution from a silicon factory.
Volume 10. Issue 1. January 2017: Sexually transmitted diseases in 2016. ECDC inspection on the Icelandic preparedness plan for pandemic influenza. Hand washing and hand hygiene in four foreign languages.

Volume 9. Issue 4. October 2016: Outbreaks in 2016. Follow-up on STDs and mumps.
European collaboration on sanitary ship inspection.
Volume 9. Issue 3. July 2016: Sexually transmitted disease on the rise. Mumps. Preparedness plan for ports and vessels.
Volume 9. Issue 2. April 2016: Respiratory infections in 2016. Reportable diseases. Preparedness planning and guidelines. Announcement related to the International Health Regulations.
Volume 9. Issue 1. January 2016: The Infection Control Day. Exercise of preparedness plan
for Keflavik Airport. Epidemics 2015. Lessons learned from Ebola.

Volume 6. Issue 5. November – December 2010: Tuberculosis in Iceland in 2010. The first influenza cases of the year.
Volume 6. Issue 4. September – October 2010: HIV on the increase among intravenous drug abusers. Chlamydial infection in Iceland in 2009.
Volume 6. Issue 3. August 2010: Health effects of the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. Vaccination against pneumococcal infection planned.
Volume 6. Issue 2. March – April 2010: Volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull and its effect on health.
Volume 6. Issue 1. January – February 2010: Consumption of antibacterial agents and antibacterial resistance. Decreased use of antibacterial agents in Iceland in 2009.

Volume 5. Issue 12. December 2009: Still more IV drug abusers diagnosed with HIV infection. Pandemic influenza in the autumn of 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 10– 11. October – November 2009: Pandemic influenza in Iceland in
autumn 2009. New provisions of the IHR (2005). Vaccination against swine influenza.
Volume 5. Issue 8. – 9. August – September 2009: Pandemic influenza 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 6 – 7. June – July 2009: New influenza A(H1N1) in Iceland. Advice to travelers – remember influenza.
Volume 5. Issue 5. May 2009: The novel influenza A(H1N1) (swine influenza). Diagnoses at
the LUH dept. of virology in April 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 4. April 2009: Salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis in Iceland in 2008. Influenza vaccinations 2008–2009. Confirmed viral infections in March 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 3. March 2009: Chlamydia and gonorrhea in Iceland in 2008. Unexplained food infection. Diagnoses at the LUH Dept. of Virology in February 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 2. February 2009: Mumps diagnosed – The importance of MMR vaccination. HIV and AIDS in Iceland in 2008. Diagnoses at the LUH dept. of virology in January 2009.
Volume 5. Issue 1. January 2009: Seasonal influenza is imminent. Diagnoses at the LUH Dept. of Virology in December 2008.

Volume 4. Issue 12. December 2008: Noroviral infections – an increasing problem. Where is seasonal influenza? Diagnoses at the LUH dept. of virology in November 2008.
Volume 4. Issue 11. November 2008: Epidemic intelligence. Gonorrhea cases in Iceland until the close of October 2008. Diagnoses at the LUH dept. of medical virology in the autumn of 2008.
Volume 4. Issue 10. October 2008: Salmonellosis in 2007 and 2008. HIV and hepatitis B and C in the first half of 2008. Virus infections were diagnosed in September and October 2008.
Volume 4. Issue 7–9. July – September 2008: Salmonellosis following a hotel stay on the Greek island of Rhodes. Influenza in the winter of 2008–2009. One case of influenza B was diagnosed. Nordic Health Preparedness Conference in Iceland 25–27 Sept. 2008.
Volume 4. Issue 6. June 2008: Campylobacteriosis in Eastern Iceland. Salmonellosis in the Reykjavik Capital Area. Investigation on mumps 2005–2006. Immunity status among immigrant children in Iceland.
Volume 4. Issue 5. May 2008: Sale and use of influenza vaccines in Iceland. Increasing incidence of hepatitis B and C in 2007.
Volume 4. Issue 4. April 2008: Measles in Europe. This winter’s influenza is on the decrease. No cases of syphilis in Iceland in 2007. Legionellosis in 2007.
Volume 4. Issue 3. March 2008: Seasonal influenza during the winter of 2007–2008. Salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis in Iceland in 2007.
Volume 4. Issue 2. February 2008: Vaccination against cervical cancer. HIV infection and hepatitis B in Iceland in 2007.
Volume 4. Issue 1. January 2008: Guidelines on the use of antiviral drugs in an influenza pandemic. No one died from meningococcal infection in 2007. Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases in 2007.

Volume 3. Issue 12. December 2007: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Influenza pandemic
exercise. An increase in. Listeria cases.
Volume 3. Issue 11. November 2007: Hepatitis B and HIV infections related to drug abuse. The STEC outbreak in Iceland is considered to be over.
Volume 3. Issue 10. October 2007: Eight cases of E. coli infection. Visit by ECDC representatives. Purchase of H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine.
Volume 3. Issue 7– 8. July – August 2007: Tuberculosis in Iceland in 2007. Annual influenza
vaccinations 2007—2008. New arrangement.
Volume 3. Issue 5. May 2007: Amendments to the Communicable Diseases Act. Influenza vaccines secured for Iceland.
Volume 3. Issue 4. April 2007: Gonorrhoea cases still on the increase. Contract on a centralised vaccination registry.
Volume 3. Issue 3. March 2007: HIV infection and AIDS in Iceland. Influenza in the winter of 2007.
Volume 3. Issue 2. February 2007: Chlamydia cases in 2006. Influenza and RSV infections this season.
Volume 3. Issue 1. January 2007: Salmonellosis 2005–2006. Changes in the National hildhood Vaccination Programme.

Volume 2. Issue 12. December 2006: Health certificates for foreigners regarding communicable diseases – TB. Antibiotics consumption in Iceland.
Volume 2. Issue 11. November 2006: Health certificates for foreigners regarding communicable diseases.
Volume 2. Issue 10. October 2006: Changes in the National Vaccination Program as of 1 Jan. 2007. Contracts on emergency stockpiles of protective equipment.
Volume 2. Issue 9. September 2006: Response plan for an influenza pandemic. Antibiotics
data bank.
Volume 2. Issue 7– 8. July – August 2006: Gonorrhea cases are still on the increase. Delay in delivery of influenza vaccines. The mumps outbreak is over.
Volume 2. Issue 6. June 2006: Anisakidosis in humans. This winter´s influenza. Norovirus infection aboard a cruise liner.
Volume 2. Issue 5. May 2006: Vaccine tender in Iceland. Mumps. Syphilis in Iceland 2000–2005. New cases of gonorrhea.
Volume 2. Issue 4. April 2006: Preparedness and response plans for a pandemic. Increase in gonorrhea cases in the first quarter. Measles in neighboring countries. Mumps and Influenza update.
Volume 2. Issue 3. March 2006: Mumps, influenza, and respiratory infections.
Volume 2. Issue 2. February 2006: Fewer cases of chlamydia in 2005. Viral infections in January 2006.
Volume 2. Issue 1. January 2006: HIV infection in 2005. Mumps outbreak subsiding. Successful vaccination against group C meningococci.

Volume 1. Issue 11. December 2005: Mumps cases still on the increase. Exercises in responses to pandemics.
Volume 1. Issue 10. November 2005: Influenza pandemic preparedness.
Volume 1. Issue 9. October 2005: Food-borne infections in September.
Volume 1. Issue 7–8. August–September 2005: Outbreak of mumps in Iceland. Gonorrhea is on the increase. Salmonella among tourists returning to Iceland.
Volume 1. Issue 6. July 2005: Mumps in Iceland. Significant increase in mortality in early 2005.
Volume 1. Issue 5. June 2005: Campylobacter in Iceland. Norovirus infections in the summertime.
Volume 1. Issue 4. May 2005: Salmonella in Iceland. Head lice - Has there been an actual
increase?
Volume 1. Issue 3. April 2005: HIV infection: Low incidence in Iceland. Chlamydia in Iceland. Influenza vaccine for 2005-2006.
Volume 1. Issue 2. March 2005: Influenza and RSV infections. MRSA infections on the increase. Giardiasis in Iceland since 2000.
Volume 1. Issue 1. February 2005: EPI-ICE. Influenza this season. WHO resolution on pandemic influenza. RSV-infections.