Indonesian Health Minister: Measles Spreads Faster Than COVID-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has warned that measles remains one of the most contagious diseases globally, with a transmission rate far higher than Covid-19.

Speaking at a hearing with Commission IX of the House of Representatives at the Parliament complex in Jakarta on Monday, April 20, 2026, Budi said one person infected with Measles could transmit the virus to as many as 18 others.

“With Covid, initially one person could infect three to four people. During Omicron, it could reach eight. With measles, one person can infect up to 18, or on average around 15 people. This makes it one of the most contagious diseases in the world,” he said.

Despite its high transmissibility, Budi noted that measles is generally less deadly. Fatalities typically occur when the infection is accompanied by complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or other severe conditions.

He added that measles transmission tends to increase during periods of high mobility or seasonal changes, such as holidays and school breaks. In Indonesia, a surge was recorded in early 2026, with around 2,932 suspected cases and 58 outbreaks reported across 39 regencies and cities.

According to Budi, the recent rise in cases is closely linked to declining immunization coverage, partly due to disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many children missed routine vaccinations.

To address the situation, the Health Ministry plans to implement Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) in high-risk areas. The program involves vaccinating all children in affected communities, regardless of their prior immunization status.

“In areas with high case numbers, we will vaccinate all children, whether they have previously been immunized or not. We will conduct a full sweep,” Budi said.

He added that the strategy has proven effective in curbing transmission. “Once immunization coverage increases, cases among children decline significantly,” he said.

Budi also highlighted that the main challenge in controlling measles is not the availability of vaccines, but public hesitation toward immunization. He noted that vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier, although increased awareness following severe cases has encouraged more parents to vaccinate their children.

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