14th August 2023

COVID-19 situation today

Diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 has increased in Iceland recently.

28th July 2023

World Hepatitis Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) raises the awareness of hepatitis virus on 28 July each year. This year the slogan is: One life, one liver, which reminds us that we only have one life and only one liver, but hepatitis can hurt both.

20th July 2023

Norovirus group infection linked to a restaurant in Reykjavík

An unusual number of reports of digestive symptoms were submitted to the Reykjavík Public Health Authority and the Chief Epidemiologist, following the weekend of 8-9. July 2023. Furthermore, there was also a lot of discussion about such illnesses on social media.

11th July 2023

Risks to health from gas pollution in the vicinity of fire stations

At about 16:40 yesterday, 10 July, a volcanic eruption began again on Reykjanes peninsula, Litla-Hrút, northeast of the volcanic fissure eruption. The eruption seems to be larger than the last eruptions in Reykjanes, but has decreased considerably overnight. Gas pollution also seems to be much higher now. Volcanic gas can be harmful to human health and it is important to monitor gas pollution and air quality, both in inhabited areas and if you go to the eruption sites.

3rd July 2023

The Data Protection Authority completes the investigation into a vulnerability in Heilsuvera’s security that was discovered in June 2020 and fixed the same day

On June 8, 2020, a serious vulnerability in security was discovered in Heilsuvera’s maternity section and in the communication section of My Pages, which is managed by the Directorate of Health but developed and operated by Origo. Less than an hour after the vulnerability was reported, Origo had verified its existence and shut down Heilsuvera. In about five hours, changes were made to the system that fixed the vulnerability, it was reviewed and confirmed by the security company Syndis. After that, the system was put back into use.

30th June 2023

The ruling of The Data Protection Authority on the security of personal information in the prescription portal

The Data Protection Authority has, with its decision on June 27, proposed that the Directorate of Health takes measures to prevent unauthorized searches in the prescription portal and that the Office ensures that the searches in the prescription portal will be traceable to individual employees in pharmacies before September 1.

30th June 2023

Annual report 2022 is published

The Directorate of Health's annual report for 2022 has been published.

27th June 2023

Letters of information to those working with children in sports and leisure activities

The Directorate of Health has, in collaboration with other parties, issued an information letter (in Icelandic) to sports and youth organisations and other organisations that work with children, reminding them of their responsibility for preventing and responding to violence.

20th June 2023

New Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 - A diet that promotes good health and has a positive impact on the environment

The Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR6) are launched in Iceland today. This is the most extensive update to the recommendations since they were first published 40 years ago. These new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations form the scientific basis for nutritional criteria and dietary recommendations in Nordic and Baltic countries. For the first time, the recommendations reflect the effects on the environment as well as health.

16th June 2023

A new issue of EPI-ICE has been published

In this issue of EPI-ICE the increase in the use of antibiotics in Iceland is discussed, the MPX virus infection (monkeypox), the increase in gonorrhea, and vaccinations in Iceland.