Measles Cases in January Show Increase Over Past Three Years

The Ministry of Health reported that the trend of suspected measles cases has increased in January over the past three years. The Acting Director-General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Andi Saguni, stated that there were 7,060 suspected measles cases in January 2026.

This figure increased when compared to January 2024 and 2025. Based on the graph presented by Andi, there were approximately 2,000 suspected measles cases in January 2024. In January 2025, suspected measles cases reached 5,000.

“Over the past three years, there has been an increase in case numbers in January. January 2026 is higher,” said Andi during a press conference monitored via YouTube by the Ministry of Health on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

Overall, suspected measles cases in the period 2024 to 2025 increased by up to 147 per cent. In 2024, there were 25,639 measles cases. The number increased in 2025, reaching 64,822 suspected measles cases. “Meanwhile, 2026 cannot yet be compared because the year is not yet complete,” said Andi.

Throughout 2025, 116 measles outbreaks (KLB) were recorded, spread across 89 districts and cities in 16 provinces. Total suspected cases reached 63,769. Of that number, there were 69 deaths with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 0.1 per cent.

In week 7 of 2026, the Ministry of Health recorded 8,224 suspected measles cases, with 572 laboratory-confirmed cases. Of that number, 4 deaths were reported with a CFR of 0.05 per cent.

Andi stated that the government is implementing measles control measures including strengthening national measles surveillance, particularly in areas experiencing outbreaks in 2025–2026. Every case finding is immediately followed up through epidemiological investigation within a maximum of 24 hours after the case is detected. “This is then continued with epidemiological analysis,” he said.

At national entry points, the government conducts screening of travellers through health declaration forms, body temperature checks, and visual observation of disease signs and symptoms. From a prevention perspective, strengthening routine immunisation and measles-rubella (MR) catch-up immunisation continues, particularly in areas with low immunisation coverage. In addition, supplementary MR immunisation is provided in areas experiencing outbreaks in 2025–2026, with priority targets being children of preschool and kindergarten age.