Banten Measles Case Data: 4,456 Suspects, 157 Positive, 6 Patients Deceased

The Banten Provincial Government has reported that suspected measles cases have reached 4,456. Of this number, 157 cases have been confirmed as positive for measles, while 82 others are negative.

According to data from the Banten Provincial Health Office, there are six measles patients who have died. The Head of the Banten Provincial Health Office, Ati Pramudji Hastuti, stated that measles cases in Banten could continue to rise. This is considering that there are still 2,274 specimens awaiting laboratory test results.

“Measles has caused deaths in three main areas: Tangerang Regency with four deaths, South Tangerang City with one death, and Serang Regency with one death,” said Ati on Tuesday (7/4/2026).

“The ‘iceberg’ phenomenon of delayed data means that conditions in the field could be far worse than the existing data because 2,274 pending specimens are still awaiting laboratory results. New positive confirmations are only 157 cases that have been verified from the released lab results,” she continued.

According to her, this increase is triggered by three factors. First, the high population mobility during the recent Eid period facilitated the spread of this highly contagious virus. Second, disparities in immunisation coverage that are not yet even, where some areas have coverage below herd immunity (<95%).

“And the presence of misinformation or vaccine hoaxes. Doubts among some communities about vaccine safety due to incorrect information have led to refusals of immunisation,” she said.

Currently, the Banten Provincial Health Office, together with the Regency and City Health Offices, is intensifying measles immunisation for toddlers and children. With this handling, children aged nine months to 59 months are targeted to receive measles immunisation.

“The ORI Measles Vaccine (Outbreak Response Immunisation) is an emergency mass immunisation to address Extraordinary Events (KLB) or outbreaks of infectious diseases, specifically measles in certain areas. Its goal is to break the chain of transmission and is mandatory for target-age children regardless of previous immunisation status,” she said.