Respiratory infection surge in Indonesia

In mid-2026, Indonesia experienced a significant rise in respiratory illnesses linked to the dry season. In Jombang Regency, East Java, local health officials reported 52 pneumonia deaths and 617 treated patients between January and July. Dr. Puji Umbaran, director of RSUD Jombang, noted that hot, dusty conditions during the extreme dry season increased acute respiratory infections (ISPA).

By August 2026, the Indonesian Ministry of Health reported a broader national trend, with weekly ISPA cases exceeding 400,000. This surge was attributed to the dry season and the impact of forest and land fires. In response, the government deployed 90 health workers and medical logistics to affected regions.

By late August 2026, health authorities reported that the environmental conditions were also driving an increase in diarrhea cases. In Central Java, the Provincial Health Office noted rising ISPA and diarrhea rates in densely populated urban areas and regions with dry soil, such as Brebes. Officials warned that dust exposure and heat could further lead to skin infections, bronchitis, and asthma, advising increased water consumption to prevent dehydration.

In South Kalimantan, forest and land fires contributed to 36,196 ISPA cases between weeks 28 and 32 of 2026. Although the rate of increase has begun to slow, the highest weekly case numbers were recorded in Banjarmasin, followed by Banjarbaru and Banjar Regency. Health officials continue to utilize early warning systems to monitor the public health impact of the fires.