14th June 2023

Change in monkeypox name to mpox disease

The disease name has been changed and is now mpox. This is done in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

13th June 2023

A new issue of Talnabrunnur has been published

A new issue of Talnabrunnur, a newsletter on health information has been published.

12th June 2023

Prescription of opioids

Opioids are important for many patients, but at the same time, they can be problematic. Opioids belong to the category of addictive drugs and their use can lead to dependence. High doses may cause respiratory arrest and death.

7th June 2023

The Directorate of Health wants to hire a nurse in the field of supervision and quality of healthcare

The Directorate of Health wants to hire a nurse in the field of supervision and quality of healthcare.

1st June 2023

Delays in processing cases at the Directorate of Health

Continued delays in processing cases at the Directorate of Health

31st May 2023

World No Tobacco Day 2023

This year, World No Tobacco Day is dedicated to tobacco growing as a threat to health and food security.

25th May 2023

Ölfus becomes a Health-Promoting Community

The municipality of Ölfus officially became a member of the Health-Promoting Community on 24 May 2023. Ölfus municipality is the 41st municipality in Iceland to become a Health-Promoting Community and 96% of residents now live in such community.

19th May 2023

Revised guidelines on procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults

The Directorate of Health issued guidelines on the procedures for the diagnoses and treatment of ADHD in 2012 and a shorter version in 2014. The guidelines have now been updated and re-issued.

15th May 2023

The Directorate of Health will be closed Wednesday 17 May 2023

The Directorate of Health will be closed on Wednesday 17 May.

12th May 2023

WHO announced that mpox (monkeypox) is no longer a public health emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 11 May that mpox, previously known as monkeypox, no longer poses an acute threat to public health across international borders. This declaration comes after mpox was initially classified as a Public Health Event of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022 in accordance with the International Health Regulation. Recent months have shown a significant decline in the number of cases reported and no changes in the severity and clinical manifestation of the disease. The WHO stressed that countries should remain vigilant but it is time to shift our focus towards long-term management.