Volcanoes Do Disrupt Indonesia's Air Quality

Recently, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised against all travel to several volcanoes in the Republic of Indonesia. 

On June 18, 2025, the FCDO stated that ash plumes from volcanoes can have a significant impact on health, particularly for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Additionally, during the dry season from May to November, widespread wildfires cause a smoke haze that drifts across parts of Indonesia, particularly the Riau Islands, central Sumatra, and Kalimantan.

The haze can disrupt local and regional air travel, and air pollution has a significant impact on public health. 

If you plan to visit Indonesia in 2025, the UK advises researching your destinations and obtaining suitable travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities, and expenses in the event of an emergency.

Seperately, the U.S. Department of State recently issued a level 4 advisory for international visitors to consider before visiting Indonesia.

From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC includes Indonesia in recent measles and polio travel advisories.

As of June 2025, Indonesia's dengue cases had risen to 52,410, with 210 deaths reported this year. And chikungunya cases reached 1,245, primarily in Java.

The CDC suggests speaking with a travel vaccine expert before visiting Indonesia this year.