JakartaPost-Mar 11, 2026
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,” he said on Monday. The health minister 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. 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. In September last year, Sydney issued a measles alert after a returning traveler from Indonesia tested positive for the highly contagious disease. Alerts were also issued in Cairns last year after four Australians contracted measles following trips to Bali. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/03/11/govt-steps-up-vaccination-as-measles-outbreak-in-indonesia-spreads-to-australia.html?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=home_indonesia
