Respiratory Infections – Week 44, 2025

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

Influenza

Analyses of influenza cases have increased in recent weeks, and in week 44, 37 cases were diagnosed — 17 with influenza type A(pdm09) and 20 with type A(H3). Those diagnosed belonged to all age groups: 14 individuals were 65 years and older, 13 were between 15–64 years old, three were 5–14 years old, and seven were under 5 years old.

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

The annual influenza vaccination campaign has begun at health centers. Appointments can be booked through “My Pages” on Heilsuvera or by calling your local health 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.

RS Virus Infections

An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has not yet started, and no cases of RSV were detected in week 44.

Monoclonal antibodies against RSV (nirsevimab) for the youngest children have now been distributed to healthcare institutions. This winter, the antibody is offered to children born on or after May 1, 2025, as well as to 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, up to approximately March 31, 2026, will be able to receive RSV antibodies shortly after birth.

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

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained relatively stable in recent weeks but appears to be decreasing. In week 44, three individuals were diagnosed, all in the age group 65 years and older.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses, rhinovirus (common cold) continues to be the most frequently detected pathogen at the Landspítali Department of Microbiology and Virology.
Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged between 20–40, and 20 cases were confirmed in week 44.

Hospitalizations at Landspítali

In week 44, sixteen individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza. Nine aged 65 years and older, five aged 15–64 years, one aged 1–2 years, and one under 1 year.
One individual aged 65 years or older was hospitalized with COVID-19.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, the number of patients seeking primary care for respiratory symptoms remains low. However, most countries report an increase, as is typical for this time of year. So far, a similar increase has not been observed among hospitalized patients with respiratory infections.

• The spread of influenza and RSV infections remains low but is beginning to increase in some countries. The circulation of COVID-19 remains widespread but continues to decline, a trend similar to that observed at the same time last year.

• An increase in RSV infections is mainly seen among children under five years of age, while influenza activity is most apparent among children under fifteen.

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

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