• RS Virus (RSV): In Week 49, 46 individuals were diagnosed with RSV, a similar number to the previous week. Half of those diagnosed were children under three years of age, while 16 were aged 65 years and older. Twenty-five individuals were in hospital with RSV, including eight children under three years and 14 individuals aged 65 and older.

• Influenza: Influenza diagnoses increased compared to the previous week, with 19 cases reported in Week 49. Eight cases were of influenza type A(H3), and 11 were of type A(pdm09). Cases were identified across all age groups, including seven individuals aged 65 years and older. One individual aged 15–64 years was in a hospital ward with influenza, and an additional 11 individuals sought care at emergency departments in Landspitali Fossvogur and the Children’s Emergency Department.

• COVID-19: Two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in Week 49, both aged 15–64 years. No one was in hospital with COVID-19 this week.

• Other Respiratory Viruses: About half of the lab diagnosed respiratory virus cases, excluding COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, were rhinovirus (common cold). Diagnoses of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 and parainfluenza have increased in recent weeks. The number of respiratory samples sent for viral testing continues to rise, with the positivity rate exceeding 50% in Week 49.

• Mycoplasma and Pertussis: Weekly clinical Mycoplasma diagnoses remain significantly higher than the same period last winter but are now approaching levels seen around the start of 2024 when cases spiked. No cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were diagnosed in Week 49, continuing the decline since the outbreak earlier this year.

Situation in Europe

• RSV epidemics are ongoing in EU/EEA countries, similar to Iceland, primarily affecting children under five years of age.

• COVID-19 incidence continues to decline after a summer increase in diagnoses. Individuals aged 65 years and older remain at the greatest risk of severe illness.

• Influenza activity is beginning to rise, occurring at a similar time as last winter.

• In autumn, an increase in Mycoplasma diagnoses was observed in Nordic countries, similar to the same period last winter. Although Mycoplasma is not a notifiable disease in many EU/EEA countries, monitoring for unusual or severe symptoms and signs of antibiotic resistance remains important.

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

Prevention

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe illness caused by respiratory infections. Autumn vaccination campaigns for COVID-19 and influenza are ongoing, and individuals aged 60 years and older, as well as those in high-risk groups, are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Uptake among high-risk groups for influenza vaccination has been lower than hoped for so far this season, and efforts to increase participation are crucial.

The public is also reminded to follow general infection prevention measures. Further information is available on the Directorate of Health website.

The Chief Epidemiologist