TULUNGAGUNG – Measles suspected cases in Tulungagung have surged sharply at the start of 2026, with health officials reporting a threefold increase compared with the same period last year.
The Tulungagung Health Office recorded 38 suspected measles cases in February 2026, up from 12 cases in February 2025. The spike has raised concerns among local health authorities, particularly because many cases involve young children.
Dr. Aris Setiawan, head of the Disease Prevention and Control division at the Tulungagung Health Office, confirmed the rise in cases.
“We are seeing a higher number of suspected measles cases compared with the beginning of 2025,” he said.
According to Aris, the trend is not unique to Tulungagung. Several regions across Indonesia have reported similar increases in measles cases.
In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Health and provincial governments have intensified monitoring in 22 provinces, including East Java.
Health authorities have recommended several preventive measures. One of them is Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI), a mass vaccination campaign that begins immediately when measles cases appear in a community.
“This immunization program does not depend on previous vaccination status. When a case appears, children in the surrounding area can receive the vaccine right away,” Aris explained.
In Tulungagung, officials have launched a catch-up measles immunization campaign. The program targets children who have not yet completed the recommended vaccination schedule.
The campaign focuses mainly on children under five years old, who must receive two doses of the measles vaccine.
“Most of the suspected cases we found involve children, especially toddlers,” Aris said.
Health officials believe the increase may relate to low immunity levels in some communities. Investigations show that several children identified as suspected cases had not received complete basic immunization.
Despite the rise in cases, health authorities say most patients have recovered.
“Fortunately, the overall condition of the children has improved,” Aris said. “This situation mainly serves as a warning because cases rose between the second and fourth weeks of February.”
Officials stress that measles remains a preventable disease through vaccination. Early medical treatment can also reduce the risk of complications.
Parents should immediately bring their children to a healthcare facility if symptoms appear. Common warning signs include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red rash on the skin.
“If those symptoms appear, seek medical care as soon as possible so the condition can be treated early,” Aris said.
The health office also urged residents to remain cautious about misleading vaccine information circulating on social media.
“Immunization is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases like measles,” Aris said. “People should be more careful when receiving health information and avoid believing unverified claims.”