Measles Transmission Can Occur Without Awareness, Doctor Explains

Jakarta — The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has reminded the public to refrain from touching babies and children during the Eid holiday season. This advisory aims to prevent the transmission of measles, which remains prevalent across the country.

According to Ministry data, through week eight of 2026, there have been 10,453 suspected measles cases with 8,372 confirmed cases and six deaths. Additionally, there have been 45 measles outbreaks (KLB) in 29 districts across eleven provinces, namely North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta Special Region, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi.

Responding to this situation, internal medicine specialist Dr Kasim Rasjidi states that measles infection warrants serious attention. Particularly concerning is that early measles symptoms are often difficult to recognise as they resemble other illnesses.

“The initial symptoms may closely resemble the common cold, dengue fever or chickenpox. So they are often not recognised early. The difference in symptoms usually becomes clear only when the characteristic measles rash begins to appear on the skin,” Dr Kasim said when contacted by Republika on Monday 9 March 2026.

According to Dr Kasim, the measles virus is extremely contagious. Transmission can occur without awareness, as patients in the mild fever stage who have not yet developed skin rashes can already transmit the virus to others.

“Measles transmission can occur from the mild fever symptoms through to when the skin rash subsides. Therefore, the Ministry of Health’s advisory is very appropriate in preventing transmission risk,” Dr Kasim said.

He noted that children are a vulnerable group against measles because their immune systems are still developing. The risk also increases if children have not received optimal measles vaccination or three doses.

Furthermore, measles virus transmission is very rapid as it spreads through the air in the form of droplets. If a child contracts measles, Dr Kasim advised that parents should perform self-isolation at home and ensure the child’s fluid intake remains adequate.

“Parents also need to monitor the child’s condition, including paying attention to the frequency of urination as an indicator of adequate fluid intake,” he said.