Indonesian Epidemics

During the post-world war II period in Indonesia, disease rapidly broke out among the oppressed people, who were already dwindling in numbers due to the mass murders of alleged communists to bring peace to their country. There were two major epidemics that occurred in Indonesia, the cholera epidemic from 1961 to 1962, and the small pox epidemic from 1965 to 1967. It is obvious that the disease and murder decreased the Indonesian population after WWII and further damaged it as a newly independent country, attempting to eliminate any and all problems that it was facing. This of course, led to further damage of the country and its people. Even though Indonesia had a rough beginning, it proved to be strong in the end.

Smallpox Statistics
http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/bt/smallpox/who/red-book/Chp%2013.pdf


Cholera, a water-borne disease that infects the small intestines and causes large amounts of watery diarrhea, was believed to be spread by the transporting of troops and Indonesians. In January 1961 cholera had spread into the central and northern parts of the island where 109 cases were reported and 29 deaths occurred. Cholera mainly affected the poorer Indonesians, because of unsanitary living conditions and dietary deficiencies. It was confirmed on February 1, 1962 that 4,107 cases occurred and 897 deaths, this continued in certain parts of the country until March 1962.

Smallpox and the Population
http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blaw/bt/smallpox/who/red-book/Chp%2013.pdf



The smallpox epidemic of 1965 to 1967 had an incredibly large sum of reported cases, and deaths, but was quickly ended by smallpox eradication programs set up in Indonesia following the first reported outbreaks. Smallpox, a contagious disease that is a rash on the skin that eventually begins to horribly scab, was extremely underreported in Indonesia. It is estimated that 100,000 cases of smallpox occurred in Indonesia. The eradication of smallpox program quickly and effectively diminished the epidemic in Indonesia, despite their limited resources, and the great size and population of Indonesia. Vaccines were sent around Indonesia on bicycles, and there were small rewards given to anyone who reported a smallpox case, resulting in the rapid eradication of smallpox in Indonesia, from 1965 to 1967.