Jakarta, March 14 -- Indonesia is witnessing a sharp increase in measles cases, raising concerns that the surge may be linked to declining vaccination rates and growing reluctance to use vaccines following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, doctors are advising parents to limit their children's exposure to large gatherings, especially during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, when families often meet in large numbers, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Measles commonly causes symptoms such as fever, rash and cough, but can lead to serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be life-threatening, particularly in unvaccinated children. In Indonesia, most measles patients are children. By 2025,...