Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – Indonesia has intensified surveillance and vaccination efforts following a surge in measles cases nationwide, with outbreaks spreading beyond its borders to neighboring Australia.
Data from the Health Ministry shows that as of Feb. 20, the country had recorded 10,453 suspected measles cases since the start of the year, including 8,372 confirmed infections and six deaths.
The ministry has also identified 45 measles outbreaks across 29 regencies in 11 provinces this year, including in some of the country's most populous regions such as West Java, Central Java, East Java, Banten and North Sumatra.
According to the United States' Global Measles Outbreak Tracker, Indonesia currently has the world's second-highest number of measles cases, behind Yemen, which has reported 11,288 infections in 2026.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the outbreak was largely driven by declining childhood immunization coverage, which he attributed to the growing influence of anti-vaccine misinformation.
"Some people are still reluctant to immunize their children because they are influenced by false information or hoaxes spread by anti-vaccine groups. In fact, vaccination has been proven effective in preventing disease and protecting children from the risk of death," he said on Monday.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin warned that measles should not be considered a mild illness, as unvaccinated children can develop severe and potentially fatal complications.
All six measles deaths recorded this year involved toddlers under the age of five who had not received any vaccinations. Before their deaths, the children suffered serious complications including diarrhea, pneumonia and bronchopneumonia.
"It is very unfortunate that children are dying from measles simply because they were not immunized, even though vaccines are readily available and effective," he said. "Immunization is an important program that saves the lives of our children. Please do not spread information that discourages people from getting vaccinated."
Acting Director General for Disease Control at the Health Ministry, Andi Saguni, said measles cases briefly surged in January but started to decline since February.
"Despite the decline, the government continues to take swift measures to prevent wider transmission, especially ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday, when increased travel and social gatherings could raise the risk of infection, particularly among unvaccinated children," he said at a press briefing on Friday.
The Transportation Ministry estimates that around 143.9 million people, or half of Indonesia's population, will travel during the Idul Fitri homecoming exodus, known locally as mudik. The holiday, which marks the end of fasting month Ramadan, is expected to fall around March 20 this year, pending the official moon sighting.
Andi said that as part of its response, the Health Ministry is conducting Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) and Catch-Up Campaigns for measles-rubella (MR) in both affected and high-risk areas this month. The programs will be conducted across 102 districts and cities across the country, targeting children aged 9 months to 5 years old.
To reach as many children as possible, vaccinations will be offered at community health centers (puskesmas), local health posts (posyandu), playgroups and kindergartens, places of worship and temporary health posts set up for mudik travelers. Health authorities will also conduct door-to-door vaccinations in certain high-risk areas to encourage parents to immunize their children.
Alongside vaccination, authorities are urging the public to practice good hygiene, including washing hands with soap, covering coughs and sneezes and wearing masks in crowded areas. Children showing measles symptoms or who are unwell should avoid traveling and be taken promptly to a healthcare facility.
"Limiting contact with others is also crucial to prevent further spread of the disease," Andi said.
Measles is one of the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases, with a single case capable of spreading to up to 18 other people.
The measles-rubella (MR) vaccine is part of Indonesia's national mandatory immunization program for children. The first dose is given at nine months of age, followed by a booster at 18 months and a second booster at five years to ensure lasting immunity.
To achieve herd immunity against measles, over 95 percent of children need to be vaccinated. However, immunization rates for MR vaccination in Indonesia have fallen in recent years, contributing to a rise in infections.
Coverage for the second MR dose dropped from 86.6 percent in 2023 to 82.3 percent in 2024, and further to 77.6 percent last year.
In 2025, Indonesia reported 63,769 suspected measles cases, including 11,094 confirmed infections and 69 deaths.
The measles outbreak in Indonesia has now spread beyond its borders, affecting neighboring Australia.
Last month, the Health Ministry received official notification through the International Health Regulations (IHR) from Australian authorities about two measles cases linked to travel from Indonesia.
The first involved an 18-year-old woman with a complete vaccination history who traveled on the Jakarta-Perth route in early February. The second case involved a six-year-old girl with no prior immunization who flew from Jakarta to Sydney in mid-February.
In September last year, Sydney issued a measles alert after a returning traveler from Indonesia tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Local health authorities reported that the individual visited multiple locations across Sydney while infectious, including a restaurant.
Alerts were also issued in Cairns last year after four Australians contracted measles following trips to Bali.