Minister appoints new epidemic committee under disease-control law
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 on 18:01 in
Iceland
Health Minister Alma D. Möller has appointed a new epidemic committee under Iceland’s updated infectious disease-control law, which took effect on September 1, mbl.is reports.
The committee will advise and assist other disease-control authorities in responding to dangerous illnesses. It will also coordinate measures across the healthcare and civil protection systems in response to diseases classified as posing a danger to society.
The minister appoints the committee for four-year terms. The chief epidemiologist serves as chair, while the director of health is also a member.
The committee includes representatives appointed by the National Police Commissioner, Landspítali, the Capital Area Primary Healthcare Service, Akureyri Hospital and healthcare institutions outside the capital area.
Its members are Guðrún Aspelund, chief epidemiologist and chair; María Heimisdóttir, director of health; David Dominic Lynch, appointed by the National Police Commissioner; Agnar Bjarnason, appointed by Landspítali; Nanna S. Kristinsdóttir, appointed by the Capital Area Primary Healthcare Service; Rut Guðbrandsdóttir, appointed by Akureyri Hospital; and Guðlaug Rakel Guðjónsdóttir, appointed by healthcare institutions outside the capital area.
The deputy members are Guðrún Lísbet Níelsdóttir, representing the National Police Commissioner; Guðrún Svanborg Hauksdóttir, representing Landspítali; Ansgar B. Jones, representing the Capital Area Primary Healthcare Service; Guðjón Kristjánsson, representing Akureyri Hospital; and Eyjólfur Þorkelsson, representing healthcare institutions outside the capital area.
Aspelund told mbl.is on Tuesday that the committee would bring greater decentralisation of authority. It would enable more interdisciplinary consultation, and proposals for extensive disease-control measures would no longer come solely from the chief epidemiologist.
The new infectious disease-control law was approved by Iceland’s Parliament on April 21, following a comprehensive review of the legislation.