Jombang Regency health officials are responding to a recent surge in tuberculosis cases, alongside a concerning rise in fatalities linked to the disease [[1]]. The Jombang Regional Hospital has reported a critically important increase in patients requiring hospitalization over the past two months, with 15 deaths recorded between August and October 2025. This outbreak underscores the ongoing threat of TB, a preventable and treatable airborne illness that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations and remains a public health priority globally and within indonesia [[2]].
JOMBANG, Indonesia – Health officials in Jombang Regency are investigating a recent rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases and a concerning number of related deaths. The Jombang Regional Hospital (RSUD Jombang) reported an increase in patients over the past two months, coupled with 15 fatalities between August and October 2025. This situation highlights the continued global challenge of TB, a preventable and treatable disease that remains a significant public health concern.
According to Dr. Pudji Umbaran, Director of RSUD Jombang, patients presenting with TB fall into two categories: those with drug-resistant strains and those with drug-sensitive TB. From January to October 2025, the hospital recorded 25 patients with drug-resistant TB and 341 patients with drug-sensitive TB.
“These numbers are still subject to change as examinations and case tracing are ongoing,” Dr. Umbaran stated on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The majority of hospitalized patients are experiencing severe illness. To minimize the risk of transmission, treatment is being administered in specialized rooms equipped with air handling systems designed to ensure safety.
RSUD Jombang recorded five TB-related deaths in August, seven in September, and three in October. All of these patients were in advanced stages of the disease.
“We recorded 5 deaths due to TB in August, 7 in September, and 3 in October,” Dr. Umbaran confirmed.
The Jombang Health Department reports that, from January to November 2025, 2,700 residents have been infected with TB. The disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, commonly affects the lungs and is spread through the air.
Common symptoms include a cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss.
Efforts to control the spread of TB are being coordinated between public health centers (puskesmas), hospitals, and health volunteers. In addition to treatment, healthcare workers are actively tracing close contacts to interrupt transmission chains.
Dr. Hexawan, Head of the Jombang Health Department, urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any suspicious symptoms.
“One case of TB has the potential to infect ten people nearby. Therefore, whenever a case is reported, we immediately conduct screenings in the surrounding area,” Dr. Hexawan explained.
