August 25, 2025 | 11:18 am
RAYA, a three-year-old toddler from Cianaga Village, Kabandungan Subdistrict, Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, passed away on July 22, 2025. A nearly one-kilogram of worms was found in Raya's body, which came out through the nostrils and anus. The news of the toddler's death went viral on social media.
Although many roundworms were found in the toddler's body, according to the Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadiki, the worm infestation was not the main cause of death, but a factor that exacerbated the health condition. "Raya didn't die because of worm infestation, but due to an infection that spread throughout the body," said Budi on Friday, August 22, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
Budi stated that a severe infection causing sepsis was suspected to be triggered by a months-long illness, such as prolonged productive cough. "For three months, she had an incessant productive cough, her body weakened, allowing the bacteria to spread throughout her body. That's what's called sepsis," said Budi.
Previously, the Ministry of Health explained the viral case of the deceased toddler, infected by a type of roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides). "Worm infestation is still a public health problem, especially in tropical areas like Indonesia. In the case of child R in Sukabumi, the infection was caused by roundworms," said Aji Muhawarman, the Head of the Ministry of Health's Public Communication and Information Bureau, in a written statement on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
What Is Ascaris Lumbricoides?
Ascaris lumbricoides is one type of parasite that attacks the human intestine. Humans become infected with this parasite by ingesting worm eggs that are attached to the soil, vegetables, or food.
An article in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research titled "Ascaris Lumbricoides: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control" (2020) stated that the high infection rate is due to the female roundworm's high egg-laying capacity and the ease of transmission between humans through consumption of contaminated food or water.
The report in this journal mentioned that acute Ascaris lumbricoides infections can increase the risk of death, especially in children due to intestinal obstruction. Children aged 3 to 8 years are more vulnerable compared to adults. This disease is commonly found in warm and humid regions.
Infection Due to Ascaris Lumbricoides
Transmission of roundworms occurs through accidental contact with soil or consumption of contaminated vegetables, green leaves, and fruits. Infection can also occur in unhygienic areas. Soil can contain eggs that can cause infection. The hatching of eggs does not occur in the ground, but in the intestine.
According to a report from "Prevalence And Intensity Of Ascaris lumbricoides Infection In Children Of Oemasi Village, Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia" by Meliance Bria, Novian Agni Yudhaswara, and Ni Made Susilawati in the journal Science Midwifery, around 40 to 60 percent of the Indonesian population experiences disorders due to this infection.
Most people living in unhygienic areas, and cases of diseases among schoolchildren, are still quite high. Parasitic infections have negative impacts as they reduce health conditions and cause significant loss of carbohydrates, protein, and blood (anemia). Prevention efforts are aimed at breaking the transmission chain, especially among toddlers and school-age children through deworming, improving sanitation, and promoting clean living habits.
Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article
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