2 WNA Australia History to RI Get Measles, Ministry of Health Performs Additional Measles Immunization

JAKARTA - The government ensures that the strengthening of surveillance or early detection and additional immunization continues to be intensified in response to the notification from Australia regarding the discovery of two cases of measles in foreign citizens (WNA) with a travel history from Indonesia in February 2026.

Acting Director General of Disease Control (P2) of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Andi Saguni said that the official notification of the International Health Regulation (IHR) from the Australian Health Authority would be immediately followed up through strategic mitigation steps.

"As a quick step, we are strengthening measles surveillance and intensifying additional measles immunization for school-age children, especially in areas with the highest case burden throughout 2025-2026," said Andi Saguni in Jakarta, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

The first case involved an 18-year-old woman with a complete vaccination history who took the Jakarta-Perth route in early February. The second case, he said, involved a 6-year-old girl without a history of immunization who traveled from Jakarta to Sydney in mid-February.

"Both were confirmed positive through PCR tests after showing symptoms of fever and rash," he said.

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

Andi Saguni urged parents to complete the measles immunization status of children according to schedule, implement Healthy and Clean Living Behavior, and immediately report to the health service facility if experiencing symptoms of fever and rash, then limit contact with others to prevent transmission.

"Communication, information, and education continue to be encouraged so that the public implements clean and healthy living behaviors, such as wearing masks, washing hands with soap, implementing coughing etiquette, and consuming balanced nutritious food," said Andi Saguni.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, 11,094 confirmed measles cases were recorded throughout 2025. Meanwhile, as of February 2026, 550 cases have been reported. However, Andi emphasized that there is currently no determination of the status of the Extraordinary Event (KLB) of measles nationally.