IDAI warns that measles is not a mild illness and carries risk of serious complications
Jakarta — The Head of the West Java Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI), Professor Dr. Anggraini Alam, Sp.A, Subsp.IPT (K), has warned that measles is not a mild illness and can cause serious complications.
“Measles is not a minor illness. Complications can be severe and immunity can decline significantly, opening the door to other illnesses,” said Prof Anggraini during an online media seminar held from Jakarta on Saturday.
According to her, there remains a public perception that measles is merely a mild illness, particularly in children, limited to fever with rash, but this is incorrect.
Prof Anggraini highlighted that based on data, the number of confirmed measles cases in Indonesia in 2025 reached 11,094, with total suspected cases exceeding 63,769.
“With measles cases now, because laboratories are also overwhelmed in 2025, imagine nearly 50,000 specimens came in, with reagents and laboratories still limited across Indonesia, with a positivity rate of 24.6 per cent. In 2026 the rate is lower because although there are more than 5,000 suspects, the laboratories are still overwhelmed,” she said.
She noted that humans are the only hosts for the measles virus and can transmit it, with transmission occurring through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
“We have received patients who have required mechanical ventilation. Imagine that 86 per cent of measles deaths are caused by pneumonia,” said the member of IDAI’s Coordinating Work Unit for Infectious and Tropical Diseases.
Measles can also cause ear disturbances such as fluid discharge and risks triggering damage that causes permanent hearing loss.
Measles increases the risk of immunological amnesia, where the immune system, particularly in children, loses memory of previously fighting various diseases. As a result, children become susceptible to illness.
In children with weakened immunity due to malnutrition, lack of immunisation, or underlying comorbidities, the risk of severe complications from this infection is high.
Additionally, there is a risk of experiencing more than typical febrile seizures because the measles virus has reached the brain. Measles risks causing long-term effects such as Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive neurological disorder damaging the brain that can develop years after measles infection.
“This is very possible because the measles virus reaches the brain and can cause death. SSPE does not occur immediately, but later, and it is said it could occur 23 years after contracting measles,” she said.