Respiratory Infections – Week 44, 2024

Influenza cases continue to rise, which is expected at this time of year. Most people diagnosed with influenza in week 44 had the A(H3) strain. A similar number of COVID-19 cases were reported in week 44 as in previous weeks. Over half of those diagnosed with COVID-19 and influenza were aged 65 and older.

There was an increase in RSV diagnoses, similar to the rise seen at this time last winter. Nearly all recent RSV cases have been in children aged 0-2 years.

Around half of those diagnosed with a respiratory virus (other than SARS-CoV-2, influenza, or RSV) at the National University Hospital’s Microbiology and Virology Department were diagnosed with rhinovirus. The number of respiratory samples tested for viruses has remained stable in recent weeks. The proportion of positive samples has gradually increased throughout the fall, reaching just over 34% in week 44.

Prevention

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe illness from respiratory viral infections. The autumn vaccination campaign is ongoing, and older individuals and other high-risk groups are encouraged to get vaccinated.

The dashboard now includes data on annual influenza vaccination participation among those aged 60 and older in Iceland. Participation last winter was lower than in the three previous winters. So far, in the 2024-2025 season, 36% of individuals in this age group have received the influenza vaccine. Participation has never reached the 70% target in Iceland.

The Chief Epidemiologist