- Automatic translation

The status in Iceland

On average, just under 14 cases of influenza were diagnosed over the past four weeks. Few patients are hospitalized at Landspítali with or due to influenza. In week 6, there was a continued increase in diagnoses of RSV infection, and 12 individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 6 (February 2–8, 2026). The number of diagnoses is based on laboratory results, with most samples coming from hospitals and fewer from primary healthcare clinics.

Influenza

Influenza arrived earlier than in recent winters. The peak appears to have been reached, but how long the epidemic will continue remains unclear. The number of cases has increased slightly over the past two weeks. 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 6, 14 cases of influenza were diagnosed, all of them influenza A: 11 cases of subtype A(H3) and three cases of subtype A(pdm09). The individuals diagnosed were in the following age groups: seven aged 65 years and older, and seven aged 15–64 years. In week 6, eight individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza, all of them in the 65 years and older age group. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 6 of 2026.

Two main types of influenza viruses can infect humans: type A (which causes annual epidemics) and type B (which causes regular outbreaks, mainly in children). No cases of type B have been detected here so far, but this cannot be ruled out.

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 6, 26 cases of RSV infection were diagnosed: eight individuals aged 65 years and older, four aged 15–64 years, one aged 5–14 years, two children aged 3–4 years, five children aged 1–2 years, and six infants under 1 year of age. See Figure 3. On average, 17 cases of RSV were diagnosed per week over the past four weeks. Twelve individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV: four aged 65 years and older, four aged 15–64 years, three children aged 1–2 years, and one infant under 1 year of age.

This winter, children born on May 1, 2025 or later are offered antibody protection against RSV (nirsevimab), in addition to children aged 6–23 months who would otherwise have been offered palivizumab by the Children’s Hospital at Landspítali during the RSV season, approximately until March 31, 2026.

More information on RSV infections and RSV vaccinations can be found on the website of the Directorate of Health.

Figure 3: Number of RSV diagnoses and age distribution of individuals with RSV per week from week 48 of 2025 to week 6 of 2026 (see also the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard)

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained relatively stable this winter, but in week 6, 12 individuals were diagnosed: ten aged 65 years and older, one aged 15–64 years, and one aged 5–14 years. Over the past four weeks, an average of 10 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed per week. Five individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19, all in the 65 years and older age group.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses not mentioned above, rhinovirus (the common cold) is most frequently detected at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology at Landspítali. Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus diagnoses has ranged from 10 to 30, and in week 6, 29 cases were detected.

In recent weeks, there have also been many diagnoses of human metapneumovirus and coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2; in week 6, 17 and 23 cases of these viruses were detected, respectively.

Situation in Europe

• In EU/EEA countries, the number of people with respiratory symptoms remains high and has continued to increase since the beginning of the year, indicating substantial circulation of respiratory infections.

• Influenza circulation remains widespread; in some countries the peak has been reached, while in others it appears to be approaching. Children aged 5–14 years seem to be the main transmitters, and increases have been observed in both mild and severe cases. Overall, hospitalizations have not decreased since the beginning of the year. Individuals aged 65 years and older continue to account for the majority of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths. Influenza A remains dominant, including subtypes A(H1N1) and A(H3N2).

• RSV circulation is still high and continues to increase, although the season started later than in the previous two seasons. The impact of RSV infections is greatest among children under five years of age, who make up the majority of hospitalizations.

• COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) circulation remains low across all age groups, and the number of hospitalizations is small compared with influenza and RSV.

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