Indonesia - Measles outbreak 2025-2026

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The Death of 20 Children is a Serious Threat: The Government is Pushing for Mass Measles Immunization.

August 28, 2025
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Sumenep, August 28, 2025

Twenty children died in Sumenep from measles. This data represents the cumulative number of deaths from February to August 2025. This data is a serious warning for the government to take immediate action, particularly by promoting mass immunization.

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed that measles is currently a serious threat and is considered one of the most contagious diseases.

During his visit to Sumenep, Madura, on Thursday (August 28), he emphasized that measles has a very high transmission rate.

"One person can infect 18 people with measles. So this is the most contagious disease," he said.

Despite its high transmission rate, Health Minister Budi said measles can be prevented with a highly effective vaccine.

"Fortunately, there's a vaccine, and it's effective. So if you vaccinate someone, they definitely won't get measles again," he explained.

Measles, continued Health Minister Budi, can cause death, with a fairly high mortality rate, so it should not be taken lightly.

In response to the situation, the government took swift action by carrying out large-scale immunizations in the affected areas.

He aims to immunize 70,000 children in the area within two weeks. The government is also working to strengthen the early detection system by increasing surveillance in the field.

"What we're doing, number one, is we're conducting tighter surveillance," he said.

He appealed to the public, health workers, and officers such as Babinsa and Kantibmas to be proactive in recognizing measles symptoms such as fever and rashes in children.

Furthermore, with a total of 20 children dying, Budi Gunadi hopes there will be no more fatalities.

"The number of deaths has reached 20. We hope that in the next two weeks (the number of deaths) will stop there and not increase," he said.

He also warned of the dangers of hoaxes that hinder immunization.

"Nowadays, there are a lot of WhatsApp messages about not immunizing, not vaccinating. Friends, that's very dangerous and evil. Because we've seen the deaths of 20 children, just because the public was terrorized by that news," said Budi.

This news was broadcast by the Bureau of Communication and Public Information, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. For further information, please contact Halo Kemenkes via the hotline 1500-567, SMS 081281562620, or email contact@kemkes.go.id . (D2/SK)

Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Information
Aji Muhawarman, ST, MKM

https://kemkes.go.id/id/kematian-20...ius-pemerintah-dorong-imunisasi-massal-campak

 

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Halal concerns slow Indonesia fights with measles
By EDNA TARIGAN, DITA ALANGKARA, and ANDI JATMIKO Associated Press 9 hrs ago​

SUMENEP, Indonesia — Three health care workers rode motorbikes into the Indonesian city of Sumenep, carrying doses of measles vaccine and a list of children who needed them. With blue medical boxes in hand, they went from house to house administering the life-saving shots.

The health workers on wheels are part of the regional government’s latest efforts to curb a deadly measles outbreak on Madura Island that has persisted for the past nine months. More than 2,600 children have already been infected this year and 20 have died.

But efforts to stop the outbreak from spreading through the predominately Muslim population are being hindered in part by concerns that some measles vaccines may not meet Islam’s halal standards because they use a stabilizer that is derived from pigs.

Pork-derived gelatin is widely used as a stabilizer to ensure vaccines remain safe and effective during storage and transport, presenting a dilemma to religious communities that view pigs as ritually unclean. Many Islamic scholars say that vaccines with gelatin stabilizers can be used under religious law, as can other medical products with pig-derived ingredients, under certain conditions.​..

 

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Source: https://voi.id/en/amp/549813

Red Alert in Pamekasan: 12 Lives Lost Due to Measles, 18 Villages in KLB Status
09 Januari 2026, 07:55​

JAKARTA - The news of grief envelops the health world in East Java. The Health Office (Dinkes) of Pamekasan Regency reported a massive measles disease attack throughout 2025. It is recorded that as many as 1,248 people were exposed, with 12 of them dying.

Tragically, all the victims and the majority of positive patients are children under the age of five (toddlers), an age group that should receive strong basic immunization protection.

Bitter Fact: 78 Percent of Patients Have Not Been Vaccinated

The head of the Pamekasan Health Office, Saifudin, revealed that from thousands of suspect reports, 209 people were declared positive for measles through laboratory tests. All positive patients are in the age range of 1 to 4 years.

The Health Office's investigation revealed the crucial fact behind the high number of transmissions: Immunization negligence.

"Of the 209 people exposed, about 78 percent were not immunized, while the rest only received one measles immunization," said Saifudin, quoted by ANTARA.

Ideally, children should receive a complete measles immunization dose to form herd immunity. The low vaccination coverage in the region is the gateway for the measles virus to spread quickly and kill.

18 Villages with Extraordinary Events Status (KLB)​...​

 

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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grobogan_Regency
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There were three cases of measles and rubella in Grobogan

Monday, February 23, 2026 6:57 PM WIB

Grobogan (ANTARA) - The Grobogan Regency Health Office (Dinkes), Central Java, found three positive cases of measles and rubella based on laboratory examination results from a total of 67 samples that had been sent for confirmation testing.

"From these results, two cases were declared positive for rubella, each from the working areas of the Kradenan I Community Health Center and the Ngaringan Community Health Center. Meanwhile, another case was confirmed positive for measles from the working area of ​​the Karangrayung I Community Health Center," said Head of the Grobogan Health Office, Djatmiko, in Grobogan, Monday.

He explained that all patients who tested positive have received medical treatment according to service standards and are currently being monitored by health workers.

"Of the 67 samples we sent for laboratory testing, three samples were confirmed positive, consisting of two for rubella and one for measles," he said.

As a follow-up, the Health Office, along with local community health centers, conducted contact tracing to prevent potential further spread. Monitoring was also conducted on individuals who had contact with the patient.

He appealed to the people of Grobogan Regency to remain calm, but increase their vigilance, especially by recognizing the symptoms of measles and rubella such as fever, the appearance of a red rash on the skin, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.

In addition, he said, the public is asked to ensure that children receive complete measles and rubella (MR) immunizations according to schedule.

"Immunization is considered the most effective step in preventing transmission and avoiding Extraordinary Events (KLB)," he said.

The Health Office ensures that it will continue to monitor case developments and strengthen coordination with all health care facilities to anticipate the possibility of additional new cases.

Reporter: Akhmad Nazaruddin
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https://jateng.antaranews.com/berita/621714/ada-tiga-kasus-campak-dan-rubella-di-grobogan
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The Ministry of Health Strengthens Early Detection and Measles Immunization Coverage

24 Feb 2026
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Jakarta, February 23, 2026

The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI) has responded to the official International Health Regulation (IHR) notification from the Australian Health Authority regarding the discovery of two measles cases in foreign nationals (WNA) with a history of travel from Indonesia in February 2026.

Responding to the report, the government confirmed that measures to strengthen surveillance or early detection, and additional immunizations, will continue to be intensified.

Acting Director General of Disease Control (P2), Dr. Andi Saguni, explained that the notification had been received and was immediately followed up through strategic mitigation steps.

"The Ministry of Health has received official notification through the IHR mechanism regarding two measles cases with a history of travel from Indonesia. As an immediate measure, we are strengthening measles surveillance and intensifying supplemental measles immunization for school-age children, especially in areas with the highest caseload throughout 2025–2026," Andi explained at the Ministry of Health office in Jakarta on Monday (23/2).

The first case involved an 18-year-old woman with a complete vaccination history who traveled from Jakarta to Perth in early February. The second case involved a 6-year-old girl with no vaccination history who traveled from Jakarta to Sydney in mid-February. Both tested positive through PCR testing after exhibiting symptoms of fever and rash.

In addition to strengthening surveillance and immunization, the Ministry of Health is also preparing health care facilities, including hospitals, to anticipate and handle potential cases with complications.

Andi also appealed to parents to: (1) Complete their children's measles immunization status according to schedule; (2) Implement Clean and Healthy

Living Behavior; and (3) Immediately report to a health care facility if they experience symptoms of fever and rash, and limit contact with other people to prevent transmission.

"Communication, information, and education are continuously promoted to encourage people to adopt clean and healthy lifestyles, such as wearing masks, washing hands with soap, practicing cough etiquette, and consuming a balanced, nutritious diet," Andi concluded.

According to Ministry of Health data, 11,094 confirmed measles cases were recorded throughout 2025. Meanwhile, 550 cases had been reported as of February 2026. However, Andi emphasized that no national measles outbreak status has been declared.

This news was broadcast by the Bureau of Communication and Public Services of the Indonesian Ministry of Health. For further information, the public can contact the Halo Kemenkes hotline at 1500-567 or email contact@kemkes.go.id . (UW/HY)

Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Information

Aji Muhawarman, ST, MKM


​https://kemkes.go.id/eng/kemenkes-perkuat-deteksi-dini-dan-cakupan-imunisasi-campak-

 

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Source: https://voi.id/en/amp/563351

Suspected Cases Increase, Here are 7 Things Not to Do when Sick with Measles
10 Maret 2026, 01:43​

YOGYAKARTA - The measles case in central Indonesia is in the spotlight. The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) reported an increase in suspected measles cases to 8,224 cases since the beginning of the year until February 23, 2026.

In addition, during this period, 21 extraordinary cases (KLB) of suspected measles have also been reported in 17 districts or cities in 11 provinces, with the five provinces with the most measles KLB being West Sumatra, South Sumatra, DI Yogyakarta, West Java, and Central Java.​..