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The status in Iceland

An average of 15 influenza cases were diagnosed over the past four weeks. In week 9, the number of diagnosed cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was 25, and nine individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV.

The Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data for week 9 (February 23–March 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. The peak seems to have been reached in the first week of December 2025, 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 9, 19 cases of influenza were diagnosed, all of them type A. Of these, three were type A(H3) and 16 were type A(pdm09). Individuals diagnosed were in the following age groups: 13 individuals aged 65 years and older, four aged 15–64 years, one aged 5–14 years, and one child under 5 years. Ten individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with influenza, all aged 65 years and older. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Number and age of individuals hospitalized with influenza at Landspítali from week 42 of 2025 to week 9 of 2026.

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 here in the past five weeks, but it cannot be ruled out that cases may be detected in the coming weeks.

Antiviral medication against influenza (Tamiflu) may be used for individuals at increased risk of severe illness. The medication is prescribed by a physician and should be administered early in the course of illness, even before laboratory confirmation is available.

Further information about influenza can be found on the Directorate of Health’s website.

RS Virus Infections

In week 9, 25 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were diagnosed: eight individuals aged 65 years and older, four aged 15–64 years, one aged 5–14 years, one child aged 3–4 years, ten children aged 1–2 years, and one child under 1 year of age (see Figure 3). Nine individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with RSV: five aged 65 years and older, one aged 15–65 years, and three children aged 1–2 years. On average, 21 RSV cases have been diagnosed per week over the past four weeks.

This winter, children born on May 1, 2025, or later are being offered antibodies against RSV (nirsevimab), as well as children aged 6–23 months who would otherwise have been offered palivizumab by the Children’s Hospital at Landspítali (Barnaspítali Hringsins).

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 9 of 2026 (see also the Chief Epidemiologist’s dashboard)

Participation in RSV vaccinations remains good (see Figure 4), and vaccinations will continue through March. The estimated end of the vaccination period is around the next turn of the month, although RSV epidemiology and antibody supply will partly determine this.

Figure 4. Participation in 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 (see Figure 5). It is known that RSV epidemics vary greatly in intensity from year to year, and the lower spread in other age groups cannot be attributed to infant vaccination. Relatively fewer infections are seen among children in their first year of life, particularly the youngest children, compared with reference years. Infections among children in the vaccination target group are very few this winter, and about one-third of them had not been vaccinated prior to infection. Three children under 12 months of age have been hospitalized at LSH with RSV, but their vaccination histories are not available. More detailed information on the RSV epidemic this season and in previous seasons can be found on the dashboard.

Figure 5. RSV diagnoses at the Department of Microbiology and Virology, LSH, have been very few so far this winter compared with the same period in the past two winters.

Figure 6. Age distribution of RSV diagnoses among children in their first year. The periods 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 show the age distribution over the entire RSV season.

Even though this winter’s RSV epidemic has been mild, there are signs that the age distribution of diagnoses differs from what we are accustomed to, raising hopes that the beneficial effects of RSV vaccination on the health of young children in Iceland can be demonstrated.

COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases has remained relatively stable this winter. In week 9, four cases were diagnosed: three individuals aged 65 years and older and one child aged 0–4 years. Over the past four weeks, an average of eight COVID-19 cases per week have been diagnosed. Three individuals were hospitalized at Landspítali with COVID-19: two aged 65 years and older and one under 1 year of age.

Other Respiratory Infections

Among other respiratory viruses, the most commonly detected at the Department of Microbiology and Virology, Landspítali, are currently rhinovirus (common cold), human metapneumovirus, and coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. Over the past month, the weekly number of rhinovirus detections has ranged from 10 to 30. In week 9, 17 cases of rhinovirus, 17 of human metapneumovirus, and 35 of non–SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses were diagnosed.

Situation in Europe

• In most EU/EEA countries, the number of people seeking healthcare for respiratory symptoms remains high, indicating that the spread of respiratory infections is still substantial.

• Influenza remains widespread but has generally been declining in recent weeks. Overall, hospitalizations have decreased since the turn of the year, with individuals aged 65 years and older representing the largest proportion of admissions during this period. Influenza A(H3) remains the dominant subtype, followed by A(H1)pdm09. Type B influenza has had limited circulation.

• RSV spread remains significant but varies between countries. Children under five years old constitute the largest group hospitalized due to RSV.

• COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) spread 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:

• Influenza vaccinations are no longer available. .

• 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