Measles Cases Rise in West Java; Health Department Urges Public Vigilance During Lebaran Travel

BANDUNG — The Health Department (Dinkes) of West Java Province has reported an upward trend in measles cases extending through March 2026. Between January and February 2026, West Java recorded 252 measles cases.

The total measles cases in West Java throughout 2025 reached 1,785 cases, a dramatic increase compared to 2024 when only 271 cases were recorded.

Vini Adiani, Head of the West Java Health Department, stated that measles is a highly contagious disease. Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, direct contact with infected persons, and touching contaminated surfaces.

“Eid al-Fitr represents a period of massive population movement and gatherings of many people. Therefore, the public must be vigilant about this disease due to its high transmissibility,” she said on Thursday, 12 June 2026.

She emphasised that the most effective way to prevent measles is to complete the two-dose measles vaccination before Lebaran travel, particularly for children aged 9-59 months. The Health Department is currently implementing a Catch Up Campaign (CUC) or Rapid Catch-Up Immunisation across several regions of West Java to combat and prevent measles.

The immunisation priority targets residents aged 9-59 months. Members of the public seeking measles vaccination for their children can visit community health centres (posyandu), primary healthcare facilities (puskesmas), educational institutions such as early childhood centres and kindergartens, places of worship including mosques and churches, and travel service posts. In addition to vaccination, she called on the public to maintain clean and healthy living habits to prevent measles, such as regularly washing hands with soap and wearing masks when ill.

“Should measles symptoms such as fever and rash appear, residents are urged to maintain clean and healthy practices, wash hands with soap, wear masks, and self-isolate,” she said.