Six Measles Cases Confirmed, Yogyakarta Health Office Warns Immunisation Is The Key To Prevention
Yogyakarta City – Measles cases have again drawn attention in the health sector in recent times. The disease, caused by a virus, poses a serious threat, especially in countries where immunisation coverage is uneven. Globally, Indonesia is among the countries with the highest measles cases, ranking second worldwide.
Against this backdrop, the Yogyakarta City Health Office has urged the public to heighten vigilance. The latest data show six laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the city between January and early March 2026. The Head of Prevention, Controlling of Diseases, Data Management and Information Systems at the Yogyakarta City Health Office, Dr. Lana Unwanah, explained that the number of cases stems from laboratory tests of 45 suspected cases reported by health workers across health facilities such as puskesmas (community health centres), clinics and hospitals. The suspected cases were followed up with laboratory sampling and testing at the Balai Laboratory Kesehatan dan Kalibrasi (BLKK) to confirm whether the patients were truly infected with the measles virus.
‘There are six positive cases in Yogyakarta City in the January–March 2026 period,’ Dr. Lana said when Republika visited the Yogyakarta City Health Office on Friday (6 March 2026).
Dr. Lana said that all patients had recovered and were not classified as a Public Health Emergency (KLB) or outbreak. However, she stressed that vigilance remains essential because measles is highly contagious. She explained that the measles virus can spread through droplets from a sufferer, so from a person who is positive, when they speak, sneeze or cough it can transmit the virus.
Therefore, anyone suspected of infection or falling into the suspected category should wear a mask until laboratory results are released.
Measles symptoms to watch for
Measles has a number of distinctive symptoms that can be identified early. The illness typically begins with a high fever, which can exceed 38°C. After that, a reddening rash appears on the skin, often called a rash. The rash may appear on the face and then spread to the rest of the body. Dr. Lana said that sufferers frequently experience additional symptoms such as cough, runny nose and red eyes. However, the symptoms do not always appear in full for every patient.
‘There are not necessarily all symptoms present; but fever and a red rash are most common,’ she said.
Although often regarded as a common childhood illness, measles can actually lead to serious complications if not managed properly. Lana explained that the measles virus can spread to various organs and cause secondary infections. Additionally, the virus can attack the nervous system and cause encephalitis or meningitis.
In severe conditions, Lana did not rule out that such complications can lead to death. In some parts of Indonesia, measles-related deaths are still reported. However, in Yogyakarta City, to date there have been no reported deaths from the disease in recent years.
‘Alhamdulillah, in Yogyakarta City there have been no measles deaths for several years,’ she said.
Vaccination Is the Key to Prevention
Dr. Lana said immunisation is the most effective preventive measure. She reminded parents to ensure their children receive immunisation. The immunisation should be delivered in three stages, starting from nine months of age, then a booster or second dose given at 18 months to a child in Year 1 of primary school through the School Immunisation Month (BIAS) programme promoted by the Yogyakarta City Health Office.
By completing all stages of immunisation, she said, the risk of a child contracting measles can be significantly reduced. ‘If a child has already received immunisation according to those stages, the risk of measles infection is actually very low,’ she added.
‘The question might be what if it has been missed? It’s okay, it can still be caught up; just go to the nearest health service, where the first immunisation can be given. It will then be scheduled by the health staff for the booster. So there is no such thing as being too late for vaccination; there is no expiry age for immunisation,’ she added.
Lana acknowledged that immunisation coverage in her area has not yet reached 100 percent. Although on average it is above the national target, a small proportion of children have not received complete immunisation. Unimmunised children remain at risk of transmission.
‘We are above 95 percent on average. But there are gaps; that means it is not 100 percent. If someone travels beyond the region, that poses a risk. Mobility is very high, especially with Eid approaching. After Eid, around May or June, school holidays begin, so infants or children may travel to areas where immunisation coverage remains below target, increasing the risk of transmission,’ said Dr. Lana.
In addition to mobility, another challenge in the immunisation programme is the ongoing reluctance of some parents to vaccinate their children. The refusals are usually influenced by various factors, from misinformation to certain beliefs.
Immunisation, she emphasised, is a part of a child’s rights protected by law. Parents have a responsibility to fulfil that right.
‘This is a child’s right. One could say that if there are parents unwilling to and hinder their child from being immunised, that if traced, perhaps …’