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The status in Iceland

Few patients are hospitalized at Landspítali with or due to influenza. In week 5, there was a continued increase in diagnosed cases of RSV infection.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 5 (January 26–February 1, 2026). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory results, with most samples coming from hospitals and fewer from primary healthcare clinics.

Influenza

Influenza appeared earlier than in recent winters, seems to have peaked, but how long the outbreak will continue remains unclear. 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 5, 11 cases of influenza were diagnosed, all influenza A cases, of which ten were subtype A(H3), and one was subtype A(pdm09). The individuals diagnosed belonged to the following age groups: seven were aged 65 years and older, and four were aged 15–64 years. In week 5, seven individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza; six were aged 65 years and older, and one was aged 15–64 years. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 5 of 2026.

The two main strains of influenza that can infect humans are type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes periodic outbreaks, mainly in children). No cases of type B have been detected so far, but it is not ruled out that they may occur.

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.

RS Virus Infections

In week 5, 30 cases of RSV infection were diagnosed: three individuals aged 65 years and older, seven aged 15–64, two aged 5–14, 16 children aged 1–2 years, and two children under 1 year. On average, 11 cases per week were diagnosed over the past four weeks. Ten individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV infection: one aged 65 and older, four aged 15–64, and five children aged 1–2 years.

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

Participation in RSV vaccinations remains good and will continue through February. The planned end of the vaccination period is 31 March, although RSV epidemiology will influence this. Next autumn’s campaign will target children born after the vaccinations end in spring.

Figure 3: Participation in the RSV vaccinations has been very good.

RSV spread this winter

The spread of RSV has been much lower than at the same time in the past two years (Figure 4). It is well known that RSV epidemics vary greatly in severity from year to year, and the lower spread in other age groups cannot be attributed to infant vaccination. Proportionally fewer infections are seen in children in their first year of life than we are used to, but due to the low number of cases, it is too early to estimate the effectiveness of the vaccinations. Infections among children in the vaccination target group are very few, and about half of these had not been vaccinated prior to infection. Only one child under 12 months of age has been hospitalized at LSH with RSV, but their vaccination history is not available.

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

Figure 4: RSV diagnoses at the Department of Microbiology and Virology, LSH, have been very few so far this winter compared to the same period in the past two winters, but numbers are increasing.

Figure 5: Age distribution of RSV diagnoses in children during their first year. The periods 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 show the age distribution throughout the entire RSV season.

Even though RSV activity has been low so far this winter, there are signs that the age distribution of diagnoses differs from what we are used to, raising hopes that the beneficial effects of RSV vaccination on the health of young children in Iceland can be demonstrated.

More information on RSV infections and RSV vaccinations 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 5, 10 cases were diagnosed: seven individuals aged 65 years and older and three aged 15–64. Over the past four weeks, an average of nine cases per week were diagnosed. Four individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19: two aged 65 and older and two aged 15–64.

Vaccinations

Among those recommended for annual influenza vaccination are individuals over 60 years of age and children under 5 years. Participation among older individuals was around 54% this winter, and among younger children around 23%. All vaccine doses ordered for the country this winter have been distributed or used.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses than those mentioned above, most cases diagnosed at the Department of Microbiology and Virology, Landspítali, have been rhinovirus (common cold). Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus diagnoses has ranged from 10 to 30, with 23 cases diagnosed in week 5.

In recent weeks, diagnoses of human metapneumovirus have increased, with 22 cases in week 5. There has also been an increase in diagnoses of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 in recent weeks, with 23 cases detected in week 5.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, there is an increased number of patients seeking healthcare for respiratory symptoms in most countries. This indicates that there is currently substantial circulation of respiratory infections.

• Influenza circulation remains widespread, and in many countries it appears that the peak has been reached. Over the past four weeks, the number of diagnoses has declined since the peak, but healthcare data indicate signs of a resurgence, mostly among children. Influenza A(H3N2) remains the most common subtype, with A(H1N1)pdm09 also being detected. The number of hospitalizations is decreasing, but increases are observed among children aged 5–14 years, and most hospitalizations are still among individuals aged 65 and older.

• RSV diagnoses continue to increase in most countries. This winter, the epidemic started several weeks later compared to the past two years. Hospitalizations due to RSV are rising in most countries, particularly among children under five years of age.

• The incidence of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is decreasing across all age groups, circulation is low, 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