Farabi El Fouz Warns of Potential Measles Surge in West Java Ahead of Eid Holiday Migration
Farabi El Fouz, a member of Commission V at the West Java Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD), has highlighted the potential for a surge in measles cases in West Java ahead of the Eid holiday migration period in 2026. He has reminded the public to heighten their vigilance, noting that the high mobility of residents during the Eid holiday could accelerate the transmission and spread of the infectious disease.
Farabi, also known as a child health practitioner, believes that the increase in measles cases warrants serious attention from all parties, including regional government and the public.
According to data from the West Java Department of Health, measles cases in 2025 reached 1,785—a significant increase compared to the previous year’s 271 cases. Meanwhile, during the period from January to February 2026, 252 cases had already been recorded.
According to Farabi, this situation demonstrates that measles transmission remains a genuine threat, particularly to children who have not received complete immunisation. This is especially concerning given that the Eid holiday migration is typically accompanied by massive population movement and large family gatherings.
“Population mobility during the Eid migration is very high. This certainly increases the potential for transmitting infectious diseases, including measles. Therefore, vigilance must be heightened,” Farabi told Republika.co.id on Friday, 13 March 2026.
He stressed that the most effective preventive measure is to ensure children receive complete measles immunisation, including the second dose. Immunisation, he stated, has proven capable of reducing transmission risk whilst protecting children from the serious effects of the disease.
Beyond immunisation, Farabi also emphasised the importance of practising clean and healthy living habits (PHBS) in daily life. The public are urged to regularly wash their hands with soap, maintain environmental cleanliness, and use masks if experiencing symptoms of illness, as well as implementing the 5M protocol that proved effective during the Covid-19 pandemic for preventing measles transmission.
“If there are symptoms such as fever accompanied by skin rashes, the public should immediately consult a healthcare facility. Early detection is very important for disease treatment and preventing wider transmission,” he said.
Farabi hopes that regional government and health workers will continue to strengthen efforts in public education and immunisation implementation, including through catch-up immunisation programmes in various areas. With such measures, it is hoped that measles transmission can be controlled, allowing the public to carry out their Eid holiday migration and celebrate Eid al-Fitr safely and healthily.