Measles Outbreak Expands in Bima City, 336 Suspected Cases Detected

Measles outbreaks are rising in Bima City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Over the past five months, from November 2025 to March 2026, 336 suspected measles cases have been identified, according to data. “The cases show a fairly significant upward trend,” said Syarifuddin, Secretary of the Bima City Health Office (Dinkes), when contacted by detikBali on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. According to him, suspected measles cases were detected in Bima City in November 2025 with 19 cases. By December the number had risen to 30. In January 2025 the number jumped to 161. By mid-February 2026, 333 cases were recorded. “By the fifth month, or March 2026, the total was 336 cases reported as suspected measles in Bima City,” said Syarifuddin. He explained that hundreds of suspected measles cases are children. One of the causes of the increased transmission risk is the low coverage of measles vaccination. “Another factor is poor nutrition among children, which also makes them more vulnerable to infection,” he said. In response to the suspected measles findings, the Bima City Government via Dinkes plans to broaden the coverage of supplementary immunisation activities (SIA), as recommended by WHO. “Vaccination will be expanded with priority given to children who are at high risk of transmission,” he explained. The City Secretary (Sekda) M. Fakhrunraji said that the spread of suspected measles in Bima City should receive serious attention from all parties, as its handling cannot be done alone. “We must collaborate and work together, from the regional government, health clinics (puskesmas), community health posts (posyandu), to village devices,” he said. “Education for parents is also key so that children receive complete immunisation protection,” Fakhrunraji added. So far, authorities continue cross-sector coordination and raise public awareness. In addition, case mapping is being conducted in detail down to the village level so that interventions can be implemented quickly, accurately, and measurably. “We will also ensure prevention efforts run optimally to protect the generation of Bima City from the risk of measles,” Fakhrunraji concluded.