Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has reported an increase in suspected measles cases, reaching 8,224 from Jan. 1 to Feb. 23, 2026. During this period, 21 suspected measles outbreaks were reported in 17 regencies or cities across 11 provinces. Of these, 13 measles outbreaks in six provinces have been laboratory-confirmed, with the highest numbers in West Sumatra, South Sumatra, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, West Java, and Central Java.
A lecturer at the Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), Dr. dr. Rr. Ratni Indrawanti, Sp.A (K), explained that the increase in cases to such numbers indeed requires serious attention. However, the situation does not necessarily qualify as a public health emergency, provided it can still be controlled through an effective health system.
Ratni explained that a situation is considered a health emergency when cases increase rapidly and widely, resulting in serious impacts such as deaths and making it difficult to control, thereby requiring a large-scale government response. According to her, although the number of cases is currently quite high, the situation can still be controlled if response efforts are carried out optimally.
“From these 8,000 cases, the situation is indeed serious and must be handled seriously. However, as long as the cases can be managed through good surveillance, rapid case handling, and increased vaccination coverage, the situation can still be controlled and will not escalate into a health emergency,” she said on Sunday (Mar. 8).
Ratni added that one of the main factors contributing to the rising measles cases is the decline in vaccination coverage among the public. This decline is influenced by various factors, including limited access to health services, long travel distances, and reduced community-level immunization activities. In addition, the spread of misinformation about vaccines on social media has also affected public trust in vaccines.
She emphasized that measles should not be considered a mild illness. If not properly treated, the disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or lung inflammation and even death.
“Many people underestimate measles. In fact, if it is not properly treated, the disease can cause complications such as pneumonia and even lead to death,” she said.
Furthermore, Ratni stressed that immunization should be administered when a child is in good health. Delaying vaccination can increase the risk of transmission because children who do not yet have antibodies can spread the virus to others around them.
“If vaccination is delayed, children do not have antibodies and may transmit the virus to people around them. This delay not only increases risk but can also trigger wider transmission and outbreaks,” she explained.
Measles itself is a highly contagious disease because the virus spreads through the air or droplets. Under certain conditions, one infected person can transmit the disease to many others nearby. Ratni explained that a child infected with measles has the potential to spread the virus to as many as 18 other people. This occurs because the measles virus can remain in the air, particularly in enclosed spaces, for up to two hours after an infected person has been present.
“Transmission occurs very quickly because the measles virus spreads through the air. In enclosed spaces, the virus can remain for up to two hours and pose a risk of infecting others nearby,” she said.
Most measles cases in Indonesia, she continued, are indeed found in areas with low vaccine coverage. Indonesia’s geographic conditions, comprising many small islands, also pose challenges for vaccine distribution and the dissemination of health information to the public.
On the other hand, she noted that the emergence of measles cases among travelers does not necessarily reflect poorly on a country’s health image. According to her, the reputation of a country’s health system is determined by its ability to predict and control disease outbreaks.
“The image of a country’s health system is not determined by whether diseases exist or not, but by how well the country can predict and control outbreaks,” Ratni explained.
She also warned that if the decline in vaccine uptake continues, the consequences could be very serious for public health. In addition to increasing the number of children without immunity, the situation could lead to more outbreaks and higher child mortality rates.
Moreover, measles can cause various long-term complications such as encephalitis, seizures, and pneumonia, which may reduce the health quality of future generations. Groups most at risk of severe complications include infants, children with malnutrition, and those who have not received vaccination.
“There are also what we call residual symptoms, which can lead to brain inflammation, seizures, and pneumonia, ultimately reducing the health quality of future generations,” she explained.
She also explained that after recovering from measles, a person may experience a condition known as immune amnesia, in which the immune system “forgets” some of the protection it previously had against other diseases. As a result, individuals become more susceptible to other infections.
To prevent transmission, Ratni emphasized the importance of following the measles vaccine schedule, which is administered in 3 stages at ages 9 months, 18 months, and 5 years. This repeated vaccination is necessary because the virus used in vaccines is weaker than the wild measles virus, so multiple doses are required to ensure optimal immunity.
In addition to vaccines, Ratni also highlighted the importance of simple preventive measures in the community, such as wearing masks when experiencing coughs and colds, washing hands regularly, and improving public health education.
“We must all be aware together. When experiencing coughs and colds, it is better to wear a mask, wash hands, remind children and grandchildren to get vaccinated, maintain immunity, and provide accurate health education to the community,” she concluded.
Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Freepik