Measles Cases in Indonesia Begin to Decline, Ministry of Health Reveals Reasons
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has reported that measles cases across the country are beginning to show signs of decline. As of week 9 of monitoring, case numbers have recorded a significant drop compared to the previous week.
The Ministry of Health recorded 10,826 suspected cases and 8,716 confirmed measles cases in Indonesia by week 9 of 2026. The disease has triggered 45 extraordinary events (KLB) across 29 districts and cities in 11 provinces.
Nevertheless, the trend of weekly cases has begun to show decline over the past few weeks. The Acting Director-General for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr Andi Saguni, documented a reduction in cases in the most recent week to 231 cases.
“In week 9, 511 cases were recorded, but in the most recent week the number has already declined to 231 cases,” said Andi at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Friday (13 June 2026).
He noted that this decline occurred after the government strengthened various control measures, particularly through immunisation response in areas experiencing extraordinary outbreaks. The immunisation programme was conducted across all affected districts and cities.
Additionally, the government has also implemented a catch-up immunisation campaign in areas that have not experienced outbreaks but have recorded increases in measles cases.
Andi explained that measles is a highly contagious disease. A single infected person can transmit the virus to many other people around them.
“Measles has very high transmissibility. A single case can transmit to approximately 12 to 18 other people,” he explained.
The most vulnerable group to this disease is young children under five, although cases can also occur in older children and adults.
To improve protection, he said, the government continues to encourage measles immunisation coverage among children. Andi explained that basic measles immunisation is administered twice, at 9 months and 18 months of age.
He noted that a single immunisation at 9 months of age provides approximately 80 per cent protection. However, if a child receives the second immunisation at 18 months of age, the level of protection can increase to approximately 97 per cent.
The Ministry of Health also reminded parents to immediately bring children to health facilities if symptoms indicative of measles appear, such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
“Parents must be aware of their young child’s condition. If there are symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or conjunctivitis that suggest measles, immediately seek examination at a health care facility,” said Andi.
He also urged that sick children should not be taken on outings, particularly to crowded places, as this risks transmitting the virus to others.
In addition to immunisation, the public is also being asked to practise clean and healthy behaviour (PHBS), such as regularly washing hands with soap and wearing masks when in crowded areas.
The Ministry of Health believes that immunisation measures, health education, and the implementation of clean and healthy behaviour practices are key to curbing measles transmission in the community.