Respiratory Infections – Week 50, 2025

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Influenza is occurring earlier than in recent winters (see figure and dashboard). It is not possible to know whether or when the peak has been reached, or how long the outbreak will continue.
As vaccine supplies are still available, individuals in risk groups are especially encouraged to get vaccinated, including those who have already had influenza this autumn/winter (suspected or confirmed).

Few cases of COVID-19 and RSV are being detected.

The next summary from the Chief Epidemiologist on respiratory infections will be published in the first week of January 2026.

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

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated updated with data for week 50 (8–14 December 2025). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory test results; most samples come from hospitals, with fewer from primary care clinics.

Influenza

In week 49, 111 cases of influenza were diagnosed, all of influenza type A. Most cases (76) were subtype A(H3), 26 were subtype A(pdm09), and nine had an unknown subtype. Cases were identified across all age groups: 45 individuals were aged 65 years and older, 40 were aged 15–64 years, six were aged 5–14 years, nine were aged 1–4 years, and 11 were under one year of age.

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Each winter, an influenza epidemic typically occurs during the period from October to March. Influenza causes varying degrees of illness, which can be severe. When transmission is widespread, individuals in risk groups are at greater risk of severe disease; pressure on the healthcare system also increases, and there is a rise in absenteeism from work and school within the community.

The two main types of influenza that can infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular outbreaks, mainly among children). The influenza virus is constantly changing, and therefore the composition of the influenza vaccine is reviewed annually to maintain its effectiveness. These viral changes can lead to influenza seasons of varying severity, and vaccine effectiveness also varies from year to year. However, even in years when vaccine effectiveness is lower, vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death, particularly among risk groups.

Antiviral medication against influenza (Tamiflu) is available and may be used for individuals at higher risk of severe illness. The medication must be prescribed by a physician and should be given early in the course of illness, even before laboratory test results are available.

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

Vaccinations

Among those for whom influenza vaccination is recommended are individuals over 60 years of age and children under 5 years of age. Current coverage is about 52% among older adults and just under 20% among younger children (see figure). Annual influenza vaccination reduces illness among those who become infected and also decreases the burden on the healthcare system, sickness-related absenteeism, and transmission to others. All vaccine doses ordered for the country this year have now been delivered to institutions or companies.

Figure: Participation in influenza vaccinations by age group during the 2025–2026 season.

Annual vaccination is still available, and the Chief Epidemiologist especially encourages the following groups to receive the vaccine as soon as possible:

• 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.

Appointments can be booked through My Pages on Heilsuvera or by calling your healthcare center.

Healthcare institutions and nursing homes

The Chief Epidemiologist encourages healthcare institutions and nursing homes to implement their own measures regarding general infection prevention and control in order to reduce transmission within facilities during the influenza season, such as policies on visits, the use of face masks, and hand hygiene.

Hospitalizations at Landspítali

In week 50, 24 individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza: 12 were aged 65 years and older, eight were aged 15–64 years, one was aged 5–14 years, and three were under one year of age. See figure.

Figure: Number and age of individuals with influenza admitted to Landspítali in weeks 39–50 of 2025.

Based on the onset of outbreaks in recent years and taking into account the number of diagnoses, the number of hospitalizations at Landspítali with or due to influenza during the first 12 weeks of the outbreak is much higher this year than in previous years at this time of year (see figure).

Figure: Cumulative number of admissions with/due to influenza at Landspítali during the first 12 weeks of the epidemic (year 2025 in red).

Other Respiratory Infections

RS Virus Infections

An RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) outbreak has not yet begun domestically; however, in week 50, four cases were diagnosed: one child aged 3–4 years, two children aged 1–2 years, and one child under one year of age. One child aged 3–4 years was hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV.

This winter, children born on 1 May 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 at Landspítali during the RSV season. Children born during the winter, approximately until 31 March 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. In week 50, seven cases were diagnosed: one individual aged 65 years and older, four aged 15–64 years, and two under 5 years of age. One individual was hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19 in week 50; they were in the 15–64 years age group.

Other viruses

Among other respiratory viruses not mentioned above, most detections have been of rhinovirus (common cold) at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology at Landspítali. Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged from 20 to 40, and in week 50, 29 cases were diagnosed.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, the number of patients seeking primary care for respiratory symptoms is above the epidemic threshold in about half of the countries. This indicates significant spread of respiratory infections at present.

• Influenza activity continues to increase, with most countries reporting widespread circulation. Influenza A is dominant in all countries, with subtype A(H3N2) being the most common. Spread is highest among children aged 5–14 years. An increase in hospitalizations is observed in some countries across all age groups, mainly among those aged 65 years and older.

• A slight increase in RSV circulation is noted, but incidence is lower than during the past four winters at the same time. An increase in RSV-related hospitalizations is seen in several countries, mainly among children under five years of age.

• COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) incidence is decreasing in all age groups, and hospitalizations are few.

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