Increased population mobility during holiday seasons can heighten the\nrisk of transmissible disease spread, particularly measles. Intense\ninteraction through social visits and inter-regional travel facilitates\nvirus transmission, especially among individuals lacking immunity to the\ndisease.<\/p>\n
According to Dr.\u00a0Regina Satya Wiraharja, M.Sc., Lecturer in the\nPrimary Healthcare Family Medicine Specialisation Programme at Unika\nAtma Jaya, measles cases continue to be detected in Indonesia and\nwarrant public attention. In 2025, approximately 11,094\nlaboratory-confirmed measles cases were recorded with 69 deaths,\nrepresenting a case fatality rate of around 0.1 per cent. By week seven\nof 2026, 572 cases with 4 deaths had already been documented.\nAdditionally, 13 regions reported increases in measles cases.<\/p>\n
Dr.\u00a0Regina explained that measles is a highly contagious infectious\ndisease caused by an RNA virus of the genus Morbilivirus within the\nfamily Paramyxoviridae, which attacks the respiratory tract. \u201cMeasles\ntransmission occurs through droplets\u2014saliva or nasal secretions from\ninfected individuals dispersed in the air via respiration, coughing, or\nsneezing, which can be inhaled by others,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Once inside the body, the virus multiplies and spreads through the\nlymphatic system, spleen, liver, and respiratory tract. Measles\nincubation typically lasts 8 to 14 days.<\/p>\n
Measles symptoms emerge in stages. The initial phase, lasting\napproximately 2\u20137 days, typically presents with high fever, weakness,\nrhinorrhoea, cough, and red eyes sensitive to light. In some cases,\ncharacteristic spots inside the cheeks, known as Koplik spots, may\nappear.<\/p>\n
The rash stage usually manifests around days 4\u201314, with reddish\nrashes initially visible on the ears or face, then spreading across the\nbody, lasting approximately 6\u20137 days, often accompanied by high fever.\nDuring the recovery phase, fever typically subsides within 3\u20134 days,\nwhilst the rash becomes brownish and gradually disappears within 7\u201310\ndays.<\/p>\n
Although many measles cases resolve spontaneously, the disease\nwarrants vigilance as it can cause serious complications including\npneumonia, diarrhoea, dehydration, middle ear infection, and\nencephalitis. Complication risks are higher in infants,\nimmunocompromised individuals, and those with malnutrition or vitamin A\ndeficiency.<\/p>\n
In pregnant women, measles infection can increase the risk of\npregnancy complications such as premature delivery, low birthweight\ninfants, and miscarriage. Consequently, Dr.\u00a0Regina emphasised the\nimportance of preventive measures to reduce measles transmission risk,\nparticularly during holiday periods when social interaction\nintensifies.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeasles or MMR vaccination is the most effective means of preventing\nthis disease. In children, the vaccine is administered three times: at 9\nmonths of age, 2 years, and 5\u20136 years,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Beyond vaccination, the public is advised to maintain hand hygiene\nthrough handwashing with soap or hand sanitiser, practise respiratory\netiquette when coughing and sneezing, and use masks, particularly when\nexperiencing respiratory infection symptoms.<\/p>\n
She also emphasised the importance of maintaining balanced\nnutritional intake, including adequate vitamin A, which plays a role in\nmaintaining respiratory tissue health and supporting immune\nfunction.<\/p>\n
Should anyone exhibit symptoms suggestive of measles, Dr.\u00a0Regina\nrecommended immediate consultation with healthcare facilities and\nlimiting contact with others to prevent further transmission.<\/p>\n
With increased population mobility during holiday periods, vigilance\nagainst transmissible diseases such as measles remains essential,\nenabling communities to celebrate together safely and healthily.<\/p>\n
The South Sulawesi Health Office has documented serious risks of\nmeasles spread in Makassar city throughout 2026, with 187 suspected\ncases reported. The Ministry of Health reported that by week nine of\n2026, measles cases in Indonesia had declined to 511 from the previous\n511 cases. The Government is accelerating measles-rubella (MR)\nimmunisation implementation across various regions ahead of the holiday\ntravel and Eid break periods. Paediatrician specialist Dr.\u00a0Leonirma\nTengguna reminded the public to exercise greater caution when\ninteracting with children during social visits at Eid celebrations.<\/p>\n
The public is urged to heighten vigilance against measles during\nsocial visits at Eid festivities. Measles cases in Indonesia remain a\ngovernment priority. Indonesia ranks second globally in measles cases.\nThe Indonesian Paediatric Association urges catch-up immunisation and\nwarns of child mortality risks due to low vaccine coverage.<\/p>\n
Measles outbreaks have been detected in at least 73 cities across\nIndonesia, with case numbers continuing to rise. Parents are urged to\nremain vigilant. Garut District Health Office reported 34\nlaboratory-confirmed measles cases in children based on examination\nresults at the West Java Provincial Health Laboratory. The Ministry of\nHealth reminded the public to heighten vigilance against measles\ntransmission ahead of holiday travel and Eid break periods.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/measles-transmission-risk-during-eid-holidays-unika-atma-jaya-faculty-lecturer-warns-of-importance-of-1773759328", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }