China News Agency, Jakarta, January 19 (Reporter Lin Yongchuan) Indonesian Ministry of Health spokesperson Siti (Siti) reported in Jakarta on the 19th that 31 provinces in the country reported measles outbreaks last year.
Indonesia's Antara News Agency quoted Siti's report on the same day that the total number of measles cases reported in 31 provinces of the country in 2022 will be 3,341, distributed in 223 counties (cities).
Siti said that because the measles immunization coverage rate in Indonesia did not meet the government's target between 2020 and 2022, the number of measles cases reached 32 times the normal situation.
One factor behind the low measles immunization coverage is the shift in focus of Indonesian health services to the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic between 2020 and 2022.
According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the basic immunization rate of infants and young children in the country will only be 84% in 2022, while the government's immunization target is 92%.
In addition to measles immunization, the basic immunization of Indonesian infants also includes polio immunization, hepatitis immunization, tuberculosis immunization and diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, pneumonia, and meningitis immunization.
According to Siti, measles is caused by the measles virus and can be spread when a sick person coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms are high fever and red blotches on the skin, accompanied by coughing, runny nose, conjunctivitis and possible complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea and meningitis.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health appeals to the public in the country to understand the symptoms of measles and pay attention to prevent its spread.
(Finish)