Health Ministry Urges Vigilance Against Measles Ahead of Eid al-Fitr Holidays
Health Ministry Urges Vigilance Against Measles Ahead of Eid al-Fitr Holidays
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to heighten vigilance against measles transmission ahead of the period of homecoming travel (mudik) and the Eid al-Fitr holidays. Increased mobility and potential crowds are expected to raise the risk of transmission.
‘Therefore, the public needs to remain vigilant against measles transmission, especially among children who have not completed immunisation,’ said Andi Saguni, Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry, in a press briefing on Saturday 7 March 2026.
In Indonesia, measles cases surged in early January 2026. By week 8 of 2026, the Ministry recorded 10,453 suspected measles cases with 8,372 confirmed cases and 6 deaths. There were 45 extraordinary measles events across 29 districts/cities in 11 provinces, including North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.
Andi noted the trend began to appear in February. ‘The number of suspected measles cases rose in January and began to fall through February 2026. The government continues rapid response to prevent wider transmission,’ he said.
Although the downward trend is evident, vigilance over measles transmission ahead of Eid al-Fitr must not waver, given the increasing risk of transmission.
As a control measure, the Ministry will accelerate the outbreak response immunisation (ORI) and catch-up campaign (MR) immunisation for measles-rubella in affected areas and high-risk regions. The programme will be carried out in 102 regencies and cities throughout March 2026, with the main target group of children aged 9–59 months.
Andi urged the public to check their children’s immunisation status and complete it if it is not yet complete. He stressed that immunisation is the most effective protection against contracting the virus that causes measles.
Additionally, the Ministry urged the public to continuously practise healthy living behaviours, such as washing hands with soap, observing cough etiquette, and using masks in crowds.
‘If a child experiences measles symptoms or is unwell, they should not travel and should be taken to a health service facility promptly. Reducing contact with others is also important to prevent wider transmission,’ Andi said.