Low Immunization Is The Cause Of The Increase In Campak Cases In Central Papua

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that cases offerodicities in Central Papua Province have increased in the last three months, due to low immunization coverage.

"As of March 3, 2023, 397 cases were reported spread across seven districts in Central Papua," said Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Indonesian Ministry of Health Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, quoting Antara, Sunday.

Seven districts that experienced an increase incampus cases, including Nabire, Paniai, Puncak Jaya, Mimika, Puncak, and Intan Jaya.

"About 48 people have confirmed positive laboratories for Measles, the most are in Mimika Regency with 25 cases, Nabire Regency with 16 cases, and Paniai Regency with 7 cases," he said.

From the results of the examination, there was also one confirmed rubella case in Mimika Regency.

From the confirmed cases of wajah dan rubella tersebut, kata Maxi, sebanyak 19 orang masih menjalani perawatan, sedangkan 182 orang sudah dinyatakan sembuh dan dua orang meninggal.

"The number of deaths was recorded in two cases, one case came from Nabire Regency and one from Paniai Regency," he said.

Director General Maxi said the increase in cases of waivers in Central Papua Province was due to the low coverage of MR immunization for children in 2022.

Based on the Ministry of Health's report, the coverage of the immunization of Measles and Rubella (MR) 1 was only 64.1 percent, then it fell to 48.6 percent in the Immunization of MR 2.

"Our findings in the field, 87 percent of the cases that have been reported have never received MR immunization. This happens in almost all age groups, even the immunization status is mostly zero," he said.

"This situation makes Central Papua Province a risky category for rubela wavy transmission," said Maxi.

For this incident, the Ministry of Health has taken various anticipatory steps, including coordinating with the Central Papua Provincial Health Office and the Health Office in seven confirmed districts.

The Ministry of Health is also increasing active surveillance and monitoring of the discovery of new cases in Central Papua Province, increasing immunization coverage, and fulfilling the completeness of health facilities to prepare for the handling of fires.

"After receiving this report, we rushed to make follow-up efforts so that it would not spread further," he said.

Director General Maxi reminded that MR immunization is still a powerful way to prevent two diseases at once, namely Measles and rubella.

He appealed to the public not to hesitate to visit the nearest health service facility to get MR immunization.