8,716 Measles Cases Recorded in Early 2026, Government Intensifies Immunisation Programme
Measles remains a concern for the Indonesian government. By week nine of 2026, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia had recorded a total of 8,716 confirmed measles cases with 10,826 suspected cases. The government continues to expand immunisation programmes across various regions as a preventive and disease control measure.
Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Health Ministry, Andi Saguni, reported that week nine saw approximately 500 additional new cases.
According to Health Ministry data, by week eight of 2026 there were 10,453 suspected measles cases, with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. In week seven, 8,224 suspected cases, 572 confirmed cases, and four deaths from the disease were recorded.
Previously, Andi stated that the decrease in the number of additional suspected cases and confirmed cases in week nine was influenced by increasingly widespread immunisation efforts and public education concerning the adoption of clean and healthy living practices.
Additionally, the Health Ministry also noted 45 disease outbreaks across 29 districts/cities in eleven provinces. The affected regions include North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
“Weekly trends of measles cases and laboratory confirmations in the eleven provinces affected by outbreaks in 2026 largely show case declines, except for the Province of West Nusa Tenggara (Bima District and Bima City), which still shows high case numbers,” he said.
The Health Ministry also noted several regions with the highest number of suspected and confirmed cases in 2026. Some of these include South Tangerang, Bima, Tangerang, Depok, Central Jakarta, Palembang, and Padang.
As of 12 March 2026, 22 districts/cities experiencing measles outbreaks had implemented Outbreak Response Immunisation (ORI) for measles-rubella vaccine for children aged nine to fifty-nine months.
The region with the highest immunisation coverage was Pamekasan at 47.93%, followed by Jember at 38.64%, and Bima at 22.73%.
Additionally, five regions with the highest measles cases implemented Catch-Up Immunisation (CuC) or Simultaneous Catch-Up Measles-Rubella (MR) Immunisation. These regions include West Jakarta with coverage of 56.4%, Central Jakarta 80.4%, Depok 17.3%, South Tangerang 8.4%, and Palu 5.6%.
“Fifty-one health quarantine technical implementation units support the implementation of MR immunisation services in coordination with local health authorities,” Andi said.
Andi emphasised that measles immunisation is vital for building immunity against the virus. He also reminded parents of their role in ensuring children receive immunisation according to schedule, at nine months and eighteen months of age.
“Check body temperature, check skin condition, and symptoms of cough, cold, or red eyes. If such symptoms are present, immediately consult a health facility and it is advisable to delay travel as this will transmit to others,” he said.
He also reminded that the transmission rate of measles is exceptionally high, with one patient potentially transmitting the virus to between twelve and eighteen other individuals.
If not properly managed, measles spread has the potential to increase, making immunisation efforts and public awareness the key to controlling this disease.