Measles Threat Increases, Ministry of Health Issues Special Appeal

JAKARTA - Measles can spread quickly through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and is at risk of causing serious complications, especially in children and individuals with weak immune systems.

Therefore, vigilance and preventive measures are important to suppress its spread.

As an anticipatory effort, the Ministry of Health issued a circular letter regarding vigilance against measles, especially for medical and health workers. This step is taken to prevent an increase in cases while protecting health workers who are at the forefront of service.

The Acting Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Andri Saguni, said that the circular had been distributed to various health facilities throughout Indonesia.

"This circular has been widely circulated to the public, especially to medical and health personnel throughout Indonesia," he said, as quoted by ANTARA.

Through this policy, hospitals and health service facilities are asked to strengthen prevention efforts, ranging from screening patients to improving infection control systems.

In the circular dated March 27, 2026, there are a number of steps that need to be implemented. One of them is to screen patients who show symptoms of measles or have a history of contact with sufferers, both at the entrance to the hospital, emergency installation, and outpatient and inpatient services.

In addition, health facilities are also asked to prepare isolation rooms according to standards, provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and arrange medical staff work schedules so that they still have enough time to rest.

Another step that was also emphasized was the handling of health workers who were exposed or showed symptoms of measles, as well as strengthening surveillance through infection prevention and control teams, hospital occupational health and safety, to patient quality and safety units.

The Ministry of Health also reminds the importance of maintaining a balanced nutritional intake and the provision of necessary supplements for medical personnel to maintain body resistance.

With the issuance of this circular, the government hopes that all parties can increase their readiness and together suppress the spread of measles, as well as protect health workers from the risk of transmission.

"Of course we continue to observe and be aware of the increase in cases," said Andri.