Respiratory infections – Weeks 13 and 14 2026

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The status in Iceland

On average, 16 cases of influenza were reported over the past four weeks.
In week 13, the number of confirmed cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was 14, and in week 14, there were seven confirmed cases, with two children under one year of age hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV in the past week. RSV vaccinations have now been discontinued for this season.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for weeks 13 and 14 (March 23–April 5, 2026). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory results, with most samples coming from hospitals and fewer from primary healthcare clinics.

Influenza

Influenza arrived earlier than in previous winters. The peak was reached in the first week of December 2025, but how long the outbreak will continue remains uncertain. See Figure 1 and the dashboard.

Figure 1: Number of influenza diagnoses in recent weeks (red line) compared with previous winters by week of the year (see the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard).

In week 13, 11 cases of influenza were detected, all of type A: eight of the A(pdm09) subtype and three of A(H3). The individuals diagnosed were in the following age groups: eight individuals 65 years and older, two aged 15−64, and one child under 5 years.

In week 14, 21 cases of influenza were detected, all of type A and of the A(pdm09) subtype. Part of this case count and the hospitalizations were due to outbreaks of influenza on two wards at Landspítali in week 14.

In week 13, four individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza, all aged 65 and older. In week 14, 15 individuals were hospitalized with influenza, 12 aged 65 and older, and three aged 15−64. See Figure 2.

The two main strains of influenza that can infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular epidemics, mainly in children). Only four cases of type B have been detected during this season so far.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 14 of 2026.

Antiviral medication against influenza (Tamiflu) may be used for individuals at increased risk of severe illness. The medication is prescribed by a physician and should be administered early in the course of illness, even before laboratory confirmation is available.

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

RS Virus Infections

On average, 13 cases of RSV have been reported per week over the past four weeks. In week 13, 14 cases of RSV were detected: five individuals aged 65 and older, two aged 15−64, two children aged 3−4, three children aged 1−2, and two children under 1 year.

In week 14, seven cases of RSV were detected: two individuals aged 65 and older, two aged 15−64, two children aged 1−2, and one child under 1 year. See Figure 3.

Three individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV in week 13: two aged 65 and older and one child aged 3−4. In week 14, two individuals were hospitalized, both children under 1 year old.

Figure 3: Number of RSV diagnoses and age distribution of individuals with RSV per week from week 48 of 2025 to week 14 of 2026 (see also the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard)

This winter, children born on or after 1 May 2025 were offered antibodies against RSV (nirsevimab), in addition to children aged 6–23 months who would otherwise have been offered palivizumab at Barnaspítali Hringsins. Participation in RSV immunizations this winter has been very good. According to the current plan, RSV vaccinations for newborns have now been discontinued. See the news on the Directorate of Health’s website for more details.

More information about 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 this winter. In week 13, five cases were detected: one individual aged 65 and older, one aged 15−64, and three children aged 0−4. In week 14, six cases were detected: three aged 15−64, two aged 5−14, and one aged 0−4. Over the past four weeks, an average of five COVID-19 cases were detected per week.

Two individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19 in week 13: one aged 65 and older and one child aged 1−2. In week 14, one individual was hospitalized with COVID-19, a child under 1 year of age.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses not mentioned above, the most commonly detected at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology at Landspítali are currently rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, and coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. In week 13, nine cases of human metapneumovirus and 17 cases of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 were detected. In week 14, 15 cases of rhinovirus, 13 of human metapneumovirus, and 10 of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 were detected.

Situation in Europe

• In most EU/EEA countries, the number of people seeking healthcare for respiratory symptoms has been at a low level, indicating limited circulation of respiratory infections.

• The spread of influenza and related hospitalizations is declining across all age groups. The A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 subtypes are predominant.

• The spread of RSV and the number of hospitalizations remain high, with children under five years of age continuing to represent the largest group of those hospitalized.

• The spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) remains low across all age groups, and the number of hospitalizations is small.

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

The Chief Epidemiologist reminds people to:

• 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 next Respiratory infections update will be published in two weeks.

The Chief Epidemiologist