South Sumatra Records 809 Positive Measles Cases as of May 2026
- 29 Mei 2026 21:55 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- South Sumatra recorded 809 confirmed measles cases from 2,882 suspected cases between January and May 26, 2026.
- Palembang accounted for more than half of the confirmed cases, with 442 positive cases from 1,495 suspected cases.
RRI.CO.ID, Palembang - More than half of South Sumatra's confirmed measles cases this year have been recorded in its provincial capital, Palembang. Health authorities say this uneven distribution of the disease reflects deeper gaps in immunization coverage across the region.
Between January and May 26, 2026, South Sumatra's Health Agency recorded 809 confirmed measles cases out of 2,882 suspected cases province wide. Of that total, Palembang alone accounted for 442 confirmed cases from 1,495 suspects, a concentration that underscores the city's outsized role in the province's outbreak trajectory.
Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the South Sumatra Health Agency, Ira Primadesa Ogatiyah, disclosed the figures in Palembang on Friday, May 29, 2026. She noted that while case numbers had risen sharply between January and April, a downward trend has since emerged.
"Based on data from the South Sumatra Health Agency as of May 26, 2026, the number of measles cases has declined compared to the previous quarter. This is the result of the hard work of health workers, Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) cadres, and the active participation of the community," she said.
Beyond Palembang, the burden falls unevenly across the province's districts and cities. Prabumulih City recorded 57 confirmed cases from 195 suspects, while Musi Rawas reported 54 confirmed cases from 140 suspects.
Muara Enim and Ogan Ilir each recorded 39 confirmed cases, while North Musi Rawas posted 34 confirmed cases from 67 suspects. They were followed by Musi Banyuasin with 33 cases from 100 suspects, Lubuklinggau with 31 from 74 suspects, and Banyuasin with 29 confirmed cases from 222 suspects.
"Only Pagar Alam, East OKU (Ogan Komering Ulu), and South OKU have recorded zero confirmed measles cases," noted Ira, as quoted by Antara.
To sustain the downward trend and prevent a resurgence, the South Sumatra Health Agency is pressing ahead with its comprehensive immunization program. They are focusing particularly on the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, which is administered starting at nine months of age in accordance with the national immunization schedule.
Parents whose children have not yet been vaccinated are urged to visit the nearest community health center, posyandu, or health facility, where catch-up immunization services remain available free of charge.
Authorities are also calling on the public to seek medical attention promptly if measles symptoms appear, including high fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
"Don't wait until it gets serious. Bring the child to a puskesmas (Community Health Center) or hospital immediately for prompt treatment and to prevent further transmission," Ira said.
She further urged families to practice clean and healthy living habits and to temporarily isolate sick children to prevent the spread of infection to others. The warning carries weight given the fragility of the progress made so far.
"This decline in cases must be maintained together. One unvaccinated child can become the starting point for transmission all over again," she said. ***
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