Respiratory Infections – Weeks 12 and 13, 2025

The number of influenza diagnoses continues to decline. Diagnoses of RSV infections have been decreasing since the end of 2024, with a few cases detected in week 13 but none in week 12. COVID-19 cases remain low. No cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been detected in the past four weeks, but Mycoplasma cases continue to be reported.

Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19

The number of influenza diagnoses continues to decline gradually. A total of 20 individuals were diagnosed in week 13, including seven with influenza A(pdm09), six with influenza A(H3), and seven with influenza B. Cases were found across all age groups: three individuals were under five years old, four were aged 5-14, eight were 15-64, and five were 65 or older. A similar number of cases were reported in week 12, with a comparable distribution across influenza types and age groups.

Two individuals were in hospital with influenza at Landspítali in week 13, one aged 5-14 and one aged 15-64. In week 12, four individuals were in hospital, including two aged 65 or older, one aged 15-64, and one child aged 3-4. Additionally, eight individuals in week 13 and ten individuals in week 12 visited emergency departments due to influenza.

RSV diagnoses have declined since the end of 2024. No RSV cases were reported in week 12, marking the first time since October 2024. However, six cases were reported in week 13, including three individuals aged 65 or older, one aged 15-64, and two children under one year old. No RSV-related hospitalizations were reported in weeks 12 and 13.

Two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in week 13, both aged 15-64. No cases were reported in week 12. There have been no COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the past five weeks.

Other Respiratory Infections

The number of diagnoses of respiratory viruses other than influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 has fluctuated since the end of 2024. The number of cases in weeks 12 and 13 was similar to that in weeks 8-10, but more than in week 11. Rhinovirus (common cold) remains the most frequently detected virus. In week 13, there was an increase in parainfluenza diagnoses, with ten cases reported. The number of respiratory samples analyzed each week has declined since the beginning of the year, with 195 samples tested in both weeks 12 and 13. The percentage of positive samples has fluctuated between 35% and 45% over the past eight weeks, compared to over 60% at the end of 2024.

No cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in the past four weeks. Mycoplasma diagnoses (clinician-diagnosed cases, regardless of laboratory results) have declined since the beginning of the year, but an increase was observed in week 13, when six individuals were diagnosed.

Situation in Europe

• Respiratory infections remain widespread in EU/EEA countries.

• The influenza epidemic appears to have peaked, though cases of both influenza A and B are still widespread. Hospitalization rates due to influenza have been highest among individuals aged 65 and older.

• RSV infections remain widespread, with variations across countries in terms of peak timing. Hospitalization rates have been highest among children under five years old.

• The incidence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) remains very low across all EU/EEA countries.

For further information, visit the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

General Infection Prevention Measures

We remind the public to:

• Avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms of infection.

• Stay home while experiencing symptoms and until fully recovered and fever-free for 24 hours.

• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Take extra precautions around vulnerable individuals if experiencing symptoms.

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Clean shared surfaces and ventilate common areas as much as possible.

• Consider wearing a face mask in crowded places.

The Chief Epidemiologist