Respiratory infections – Week 11 2026

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The status in Iceland

On average, 13 cases of influenza were diagnosed over the past four weeks. In week 11, 17 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were diagnosed, and six individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 11 (March 9–15, 2026). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory results, with most samples coming from hospitals and fewer from primary healthcare clinics.

Influenza

Influenza arrived earlier than in recent winters. The peak appears to have been reached in the first week of December 2025, but it is still unclear how long the outbreak will continue. See Figure 1 and the dashboard.

Figure 1: Number of influenza diagnoses in recent weeks (red line) compared with previous winters by week of the year (see the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard).

In week 11, 13 cases of influenza were diagnosed: one case of type B and 12 cases of type A, all of them A(pdm09). The individuals diagnosed belonged to the following age groups: eight were aged 65 and older, four were aged 15–64, and one was a child under 5 years of age. The two main strains of influenza that can infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular outbreaks, mainly in children). Three cases of type B have been diagnosed here so far this winter season, including one in week 11.

Seven individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza: five were aged 65 and older, and two were aged 15–64. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 11 of 2026.

Antiviral medication against influenza (Tamiflu) may be used for individuals at increased risk of severe illness. The medication is prescribed by a physician and should be administered early in the course of illness, even before laboratory confirmation is available.

Further information about influenza can be found on the Directorate of Health’s website.

RS Virus Infections

In week 11, 17 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were diagnosed: six individuals aged 65 and older, five aged 15–64, one child aged 3–4, four children aged 1–2, and one infant under 1 year of age. See Figure 3.

Six individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV: three were aged 15–64, one child was aged 5–14, and two children were aged 1–2. An average of 18 RSV cases per week have been diagnosed over the past four weeks.

Figure 3: Number of RSV diagnoses and age distribution of individuals with RSV per week from week 48 of 2025 to week 11 of 2026 (see also the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard)

This winter, children born on May 1, 2025, or later are being offered antibodies against RSV (nirsevimab), in addition to children aged 6–23 months who would otherwise have been offered palivizumab by the Children’s Hospital (Barnaspítali Hringsins).

More information about RSV infections and RSV immunization can be found on the website of the Directorate of Health.

Participation in RSV vaccination remains good, and vaccinations will continue through March. The vaccination period is currently expected to end around the turn of the month, although this will depend to some extent on the epidemiology of RSV and the availability of antibody supplies.

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained fairly stable this winter. In week 11, five individuals were diagnosed: two aged 65 and older, one aged 15–64, and two aged 0–4. Over the past four weeks, an average of six COVID-19 cases per week have been diagnosed. Four individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19: two in the 65 and older age group, one aged 15–64, and one child aged 1–2.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among respiratory viruses other than those mentioned above, the ones currently being detected most frequently at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology at Landspítali are human metapneumovirus and coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. In week 11, 14 cases of human metapneumovirus and 17 cases of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 were diagnosed.

Situation in Europe

• In over half of the EU/EEA countries, the number of people seeking healthcare for respiratory symptoms has decreased, suggesting that the spread of respiratory infections has generally declined.

• The spread of influenza is decreasing. Hospital admissions have also declined, although individuals aged 65 and older have remained the largest group of those hospitalized during this period. Influenza A(H3) remains the dominant subtype, followed by A(H1)pdm09.

• The spread of RSV and the number of hospitalizations remain high, with children under five years of age continuing to be the largest group admitted.

• The spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) remains low across all age groups, and the number of hospitalizations is small.

Further information is available on the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The Chief Epidemiologist reminds people to:

• Influenza vaccinations are no longer available.

• Accept the RSV monoclonal antibody for those infants where it is appropriate (see above).

• Stay at home while experiencing symptoms and until you are well on the way to recovery and fever-free for 24 hours.

• Take special care around vulnerable individuals if you have symptoms of infection.

• Minimize contact with others who show symptoms of infection.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Clean shared surfaces and ventilate shared spaces as much as possible.

• Consider wearing a face mask depending on the situation.

The Chief Epidemiologist