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The status in Iceland

On average, 11 cases of influenza were diagnosed over the past four weeks. No individuals were admitted to Landspítali with or due to influenza or COVID-19 last week. A few people stayed in the emergency department for varying lengths of time with influenza.

In week 7, the number of diagnosed cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was 19, and nine individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 7 (February 9–15, 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. It appears to have reached its peak, but how long the epidemic 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 7, 11 cases of influenza were diagnosed, all of them type A; three were subtype A(H3) and eight were subtype A(pdm09). The individuals diagnosed belonged to the following age groups: five were 65 years and older, four were 15–64 years old, and two were children under 5 years of age. In week 7, no patients were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 7 of 2026.

There are two main strains of influenza that 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 in the past five weeks, but it cannot be ruled out that cases may be identified in the coming weeks.

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 7, 19 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were diagnosed: six individuals were 65 years and older, three were 15–64 years old, one was 5–14 years old, six were children aged 1–2 years, and three were infants under 1 year of age. See Figure 3. On average, 24 RSV cases were diagnosed per week over the past four weeks. Nine individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV: four were 65 years and older, one was 15–64 years old, one was 5–14 years old, and three were children aged 1–2 years.

This winter, children born on or after May 1, 2025 are offered antibodies 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 7 of 2026 (see also the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard)

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained fairly stable this winter. In week 7, seven individuals were diagnosed: five were 65 years and older, one was 15–64 years old, and one was 0–4 years old. Over the past four weeks, an average of 12 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed per week. No individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses than those 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 detections has ranged between 10 and 30, and in week 7, 21 cases of rhinovirus were identified. Other notable detections in recent weeks include human metapneumovirus and coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. In week 7, 10 cases of human metapneumovirus and 18 cases of coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 were diagnosed.

Situation in Europe

• In most EU/EEA countries, the number of people seeking primary healthcare for symptoms of respiratory illness remains high, indicating continued substantial circulation of respiratory infections.

• The spread of influenza remains widespread but has generally declined in recent weeks. Overall, hospital admissions have decreased since the beginning of the year; however, individuals aged 65 years and older have accounted for the largest proportion of admissions during this period. Influenza A(H3) remains the dominant subtype, followed by A(H1)pdm09.

• The spread of RSV remains high and continues to increase. The current RSV season began later than the previous two seasons. Hospital admissions due to RSV are generally rising, and children under five years of age represent the largest group admitted to hospital because of it.

• The spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) remains low across all age groups, and the number of hospital admissions is low 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