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Few patients are currently hospitalized at Landspítali with or due to influenza. The influenza season started earlier than in recent winters; the peak may have been reached, but how long the epidemic will continue is still unclear (see Figure 1 and the dashboard).
Little COVID-19 is being detected, and over the past four weeks, 5–7 cases of RSV have been identified per week.

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).

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 2 of 2026 (5–11 January 2026). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory test results; most samples originate from hospitals, with fewer from primary care.

Influenza

In week 2, 22 cases of influenza were diagnosed: one case of influenza B and 21 cases of influenza A, of which 18 were subtype A(H3) and three were subtype A(pdm09). The individuals diagnosed belonged to the following age groups: five individuals aged 65 years and older, 11 aged 15–64 years, three aged 1–4 years, and three under one year of age.

Influenza is a respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Each winter, an influenza epidemic usually occurs during the period from October to March. Influenza causes varying degrees of illness among individuals, and the disease can be severe. When infections are widespread, there is an increased risk that individuals in risk groups will develop more severe illness with serious consequences. The burden 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 viruses that can infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular epidemics, mainly among children). The influenza virus undergoes frequent changes, and therefore the composition of the influenza vaccine is reviewed annually to maintain its effectiveness. These viral changes can result in influenza epidemics of varying severity from year to year, and vaccine effectiveness also varies annually. However, even in years when vaccine effectiveness is lower, vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death, especially among risk groups.

Antiviral medication against influenza (Tamiflu) is available for individuals at increased risk of severe disease. The medication is prescribed by a physician and must be administered 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 older than 60 years and children younger than 5 years; current uptake among older individuals is approximately 54%, while uptake among younger children is about 23% (Figure 2). All vaccine doses ordered for the country this winter have been distributed or have already been used.

Figure 2: Influenza vaccination coverage by age group for the 2025–2026 season.

Hospitalizations at Landspítali

In week 2, one individual was hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza, a child under one year of age, see Figure 3.

Figure 3: Number and age of patients hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 2 of 2026.

Based on the onset of epidemics in recent years and considering the number of diagnoses, it is evident that the number of hospital admissions at Landspítali with or due to influenza during the first 16 weeks of the epidemic is significantly higher this year than in previous years at the same time of year (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Cumulative number of hospitalizations with or due to influenza at Landspítali during the first 16 weeks of the epidemic (2025–2026 period in red).

Other Respiratory Infections

RS Virus Infections

In week 2, seven cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were diagnosed: two individuals aged 65 years and older, two aged 15–64 years, two children aged 1–2 years, and one child under one year of age. One child aged 1–2 years was hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV infection.

This winter, children born on 1 May 2025 or later are being offered monoclonal antibody protection against RSV (nirsevimab), as well as 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 this winter, approximately until 31 March 2026, will be eligible to receive RSV antibodies shortly after birth.

More detailed information on the RSV epidemic this season and previous seasons is available on the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard.

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained relatively stable this winter. In week 2, two individuals were diagnosed, one aged 65 years and older and the other aged 15–64 years. Two individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19, both in the 65 years and older age group.

Other viruses

Among other respiratory viruses not mentioned above, most cases detected at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology at Landspítali have been rhinovirus (common cold). Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged from 10 to 30, and in week 2, nine cases were identified. In recent weeks, detections of human metapneumovirus have increased, with seven cases diagnosed in week 2.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, the number of patients seeking healthcare for respiratory symptoms is higher than usual in most countries. This indicates that there is currently significant circulation of respiratory infections.

• Influenza spread continues to increase in most countries, although in some countries the peak appears to have been reached. Influenza A(H3N2) remains the most common subtype, but A(H1N1)pdm09 is also being detected. Influenza is observed in all age groups, with increases in hospital admissions mainly among those aged 65 years and older.

• RSV circulation continues to increase slowly in several countries. Hospital data show an increase in admissions in some countries, mainly among children under five years of age. Admissions in the region are lower than at the same time over the past four winters.

• The incidence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infections 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:

• All influenza vaccines have been distributed.

• Accept the RSV monoclonal antibody for those infants where it is appropriate (see above).

• 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