Respiratory infections. Weeks 18 and 19 2024

The number of influenza cases has been up and down this winter but is now on the decline. There have been very few cases of COVID-19 and none of RSV recently.

In week 18, 20 people were admitted with one of the six most common respiratory viruses at Landspítali Hospital, six of whom had influenza. In week 19, there were 16 hospitalized, with four due to influenza.

Since the beginning of April until May 15 this year, 43 people in Iceland have been diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough), confirmed by a PCR test. An additional 36 individuals have received a clinical diagnosis. These are the first cases since 2019.

Recently, two cases of measles were diagnosed in Iceland, the first since 2019, but there have not been any other cases. Both individuals had contracted the disease abroad.

This will be the last update on respiratory infections for this flu season. However, the Chief Epidemiologist will continue to provide updates on infectious diseases of concern for public health.

The Chief Epidemiologist