Health Ministry reminds not to touch babies indiscriminately to prevent measles transmission

Jakarta — The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) reminded the public not to touch babies or children indiscriminately as one of the vulnerable groups to prevent the transmission of measles, especially during the upcoming Lebaran holiday season. Acting Director-General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Andi Saguni, said the habit of touching babies or toddlers indiscriminately, particularly when gathering with family, should be avoided because it increases the potential spread of measles. ‘The habit of indiscriminately touching babies or toddlers when we gather, especially during Lebaran, should be reduced or even avoided because of the high risk of transmission,’ Andi said at a press conference on the Update of Measles Cases in Indonesia conducted online in Jakarta on Friday. Furthermore, he urged individuals not to engage in gatherings or crowded activities if they have signs or symptoms indicating measles. Individuals with fever and red rash symptoms should avoid contact with healthy individuals and promptly self-isolate at home. ‘In particular, for individuals with fever and suspected measles signs, such as a rash, they should avoid congregating and should not go to places, including tourist destinations and other crowded venues; they should stay at home,’ Andi asserted. He noted that the pattern of increasing measles cases in recent years is indeed closely related to long holiday periods, which spur people to gather. ‘We note here that there is a link between the occurrence of these cases and celebrations that involve gathering. We have observed a five-year trend. Cases tend to rise at the start of the year, then fall, and then rise again around August, September, October, November,’ he added. Therefore, he again reminded the public to promptly have family members with symptoms checked at health facilities and to reduce contact with healthy individuals. ‘If any family member, a sick child, is found, take them promptly to health service facilities. Reduce contact with healthy people to prevent transmission,’ he said.