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Few people are hospitalized at Landspítali due to or with influenza. The flu season started earlier than in previous years, and the peak may have been reached, but how long the outbreak will continue is still unclear. See Figure 1 and the dashboard.

Few cases of COVID-19 are being detected, and in the past four weeks, 5–7 cases of RSV have been reported 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 3 of 2026 (12–18 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 3, 12 cases of influenza were detected, all of type A, of which six were A(H3), four were A(pdm09), and two were of an unknown subtype. The individuals diagnosed fell into the following age groups: eight were 65 years and older, two were 15–64 years, one was 5–14 years, and one was under one year old.

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Each winter, influenza outbreaks usually occur between October and March. The illness can vary in severity, but it can be serious. When transmission is widespread, individuals in risk groups are more likely to develop severe illness, healthcare systems experience increased strain, and absenteeism from work and school rises.

The two main types of influenza that infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular outbreaks, mainly in children). The influenza virus is constantly changing, so the composition of the influenza vaccine is reviewed annually to maintain effectiveness. These viral changes can lead to varying severity of seasonal influenza epidemics, and vaccine effectiveness also varies from year to year. Even in years when vaccine effectiveness is lower, vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death, particularly among high-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 annual influenza vaccination is recommended are individuals over 60 years old and children under 5 years old. This winter, vaccine coverage is approximately 54% among older adults and around 23% among young children (see Figure 2). All vaccine doses ordered for the country this winter have either been distributed or already used.

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

Hospitalizations at Landspítali

Hospitalizations due to influenza have decreased significantly. In week 3, two individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza, both aged 65 and older (see Figure 3).

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

Based on the onset of influenza seasons in previous years and the number of reported cases, the number of hospitalizations at Landspítali with or due to influenza during the first 17 weeks of the season was much higher this year compared to the same period in previous years (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Cumulative number of hospitalizations with or due to influenza at Landspítali during the first 17 weeks of the epidemic (2025–2026 period in red).

Other Respiratory Infections

RS Virus Infections

In week 3, nine cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection were detected: four individuals aged 65 and older, one aged 15–64, three children aged 1–2 years, and one child under 1 year. Four individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV: two aged 65 and older, one child aged 1–2 years, and one child under 1 year.

This winter, children born on or after May 1, 2025, are offered RSV antibodies (nirsevimab), in addition to children aged 6–23 months whom Barnaspítali Hringsins would otherwise have offered palivizumab during the RSV season, approximately until March 31, 2026.

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 fairly stable this winter. In week 3, seven cases were detected: three individuals aged 65 and older, two aged 15–64, and two under 5 years old. Two individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19, both in the 65 and older age group.

Other viruses

Among other respiratory viruses not mentioned above, most detections at the Clinical Microbiology and Virology Department of Landspítali have been rhinovirus (common cold). Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged from 10 to 30, with 15 cases detected in week 3.

In recent weeks, detections of human metapneumovirus have increased, with 15 cases reported in week 3.

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 substantial circulation of respiratory infections at present.

• Influenza spread continues to increase across all age groups, although some countries appear to have reached the peak. Influenza A(H3N2) remains the most common subtype, with A(H1N1)pdm09 also being detected. Hospitalizations remain high, particularly among people aged 65 and older.

• RSV is being detected widely and is slowly increasing. Hospitalizations due to RSV are lower than usual for this time of year compared to the past four years. However, increases in hospital admissions are starting to be seen in some countries, especially among children under five years old.

• The incidence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is decreasing across 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