Jakarta, IO – Measles cases are resurging in Indonesia. The morbidity rate in 2023 is reported to be higher than in 2022. This significant increase has even received special attention from the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO noted that from January 1 to April 3 there were 2,161 suspected measles reported across 38 provinces in Indonesia. Meanwhile, throughout 2022, the Health Ministry logged 3,341 cases across 31 provinces. This figure has increased 32 times compared to 2021, reported Detik, Monday (1/5).
“In 2022 and 2023, there has been a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases, as compared to those reported annually 2018,” WHO wrote.
The current measles outbreak is characterized by sub-optimal population immunity. It also affects children without vaccinations.
Even though measles has become endemic in Indonesia, the magnitude and extent of this outbreak continues to increase compared to previous years. WHO suspects that the high measles cases also occurred due to the lack of laboratory reagents to confirm cases.
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“Likely under-detection and under-reporting of measles cases due to non-availability of laboratory reagents for confirmation of cases. The number of suspect measles cases reported in the Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) has continued to increase since week 1 in 2023,” WHO said.
In addition, the high number of measles cases in 2023 might be due to low measles-containing supplemental immunization activities (MCV-SIA) coverage in 2022, especially in high-risk provinces. (un)