Yogyakarta Health Department Conducts Epidemiological Investigation into Six Confirmed Measles Cases

Yogyakarta — The Yogyakarta City Health Department (Dinkes) is conducting an epidemiological investigation into six confirmed measles cases detected in the area since January 2026.

Solikhin Dwi Ramtana, head of the Health Department’s Surveillance Working Team, stated that through week eight of 2026, the department has recorded 45 suspected measles cases, six of which have been confirmed positive.

“The epidemiological investigation is conducted to determine the source of transmission and identify the potential for transmission to other people,” Solikhin said when contacted in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

He explained that the epidemiological investigation involves tracing patients’ travel history, the timing of symptom onset, and possible close contacts who interacted with patients before confirmation of illness.

“Upon receiving a report, we conduct confirmation with health facilities, then together with community health centres, we go to the field to trace the source of transmission,” he said.

Most measles cases in early 2026 occurred among school-age children, with patient ages ranging from under one year, four years, eight years, 11 years, and 15 years, as well as one adult case aged 28 years.

“For school-age children, we recommend they do not attend school until their condition improves,” Solikhin stated.

Based on monitoring conducted, no secondary transmission has been detected among those who had close contact with patients, and cases are sporadic across several locations, according to Solikhin.

For comparison, the Yogyakarta City Health Department recorded 19 measles cases throughout 2024 and 13 cases from January to December 2025.

“Compared to the start of this year, there is a slight increase on average,” Solikhin said.

Solikhin noted that measles immunisation coverage in Yogyakarta City has reached approximately 96 per cent, which is considered effective in helping reduce the severity of disease in infected patients.

“If there are symptoms of fever accompanied by red spots on the skin, the public should immediately seek examination at a health facility,” Solikhin advised.