Respiratory Infections – Week 42, 2025

As before, the vast majority of samples for testing come from hospitals, and fewer from primary healthcare centers.

Influenza

In week 42, 22 cases of influenza were diagnosed - slightly more than in the previous two weeks. Most of those diagnosed were aged 15 years and older, and the majority had influenza type A(H3).

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

The annual influenza vaccination campaign has begun at primary health care centers. Appointments can be booked via “My Pages” on heilsuvera.is or by calling your local health care center.

The Chief Epidemiologist recommends that the following groups be given priority for influenza vaccination and strongly encourages them to accept vaccination:

• All individuals aged 60 years and older.

• Children under 5 years of age who are at least 6 months old at the time of vaccination.

• All children and adults with chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver diseases, diabetes, obesity, malignant diseases, or other immunosuppressive conditions.

• Pregnant women.

• Healthcare workers who care for individuals in the above-mentioned risk groups.

• People at occupational risk due to possible co-infection with seasonal influenza and avian influenza (see

  news from October 2023).

RSV Infections

One case of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection was diagnosed in week 42 - a child aged 1–2 years. Monoclonal antibody protection against RSV (nirsevimab) for the youngest children has now been distributed to health institutions.

This winter, the antibody will be offered to children born on or after May 1, 2025, as well as children aged 6–23 months who would otherwise have been invited by the Children’s Hospital (Barnaspítali Hringsins) for monthly palivizumab treatments during the RSV season. Children born this winter - approximately until March 31, 2026 - will be able to receive RSV antibody protection shortly after birth.

Further information about RSV infections and vaccination is available on the Directorate of Health’s website.

COVID-19

Diagnoses of COVID-19 cases have decreased since the summer and remain fairly stable this autumn. In week 42, seven individuals tested positive, most of them aged 65 years and older.

Other Respiratory Viruses

Rhinovirus (common cold) continues to be the most frequently detected respiratory virus at the Landspítali Department of Microbiology and Virology. Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged from 30 to 40, and 25 cases were diagnosed in week 42.

Hospitalizations at Landspítali

In week 42, one person aged 15–64 years was hospitalized with COVID-19. Five people were hospitalized with influenza, including four aged 65 and older and one aged 15–64. One child, aged 1–2 years, was hospitalized with RSV.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) incidence is currently decreasing, and number of hospital admissions remains low.

• RSV and influenza detections are at minimal levels.

• The number of people seeking primary care for respiratory symptoms remains low, but is increasing in most countries - as expected at this time of year. The greatest increase is among children under 15 years of age.

Further information can be found on the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website.

The Chief Epidemiologist reminds people to:

• Accept the influenza vaccination if you belong to a priority or risk group.

• Accept the RSV monoclonal antibody for those infants where it is appropriate.

• 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