Doctors confirmed severe ascariasis infection after hundreds of worms emerged from her tiny body.
A four-year-old girl from Sukabumi, West Java, named Raya, died after doctors removed more than one kilogram of roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides) from her body, exposing the dangers of untreated parasitic infections in vulnerable children.
Horrific Medical Emergency
On July 13, 2025, Raya was rushed to RSUD R Syamsudin SH Sukabumi in an unconscious state after suffering severe dehydration and shock. During emergency treatment, doctors were horrified when a 15cm worm emerged from her nose while she lay in the intensive care unit. More worms later surfaced from her mouth, anus, and genitals, many of them still alive.
Confirmation of Ascariasis
Hospital spokesperson and ER doctor Dr. Irfan confirmed that Raya was suffering from ascariasis, a severe roundworm infection. “The eggs are ingested through contaminated food, water, or dirty hands. They hatch in the intestines, and their larvae can travel through the bloodstream to vital organs, even the brain,” he explained. Doctors believed the infection had already spread widely, contributing to her loss of consciousness.
More Than One Kilogram of Worms
Videos released by the Rumah Teduh Foundation documented the extent of her suffering, showing hundreds of worms being extracted. “Over 1 kilogram of worms was removed, but they never seemed to end,” the foundation stated. The shocking case highlighted the neglected threat of parasitic diseases in Indonesia’s rural communities.
Longstanding Health Struggles
According to local midwife Cisri Maryati, Raya’s health had been under observation since infancy. Her weight consistently fell under the BGM (below the red line) category. Despite repeated efforts to refer her to the community health centre for nutritional consultation, her stepfather reportedly refused. The village government had provided food assistance, including milk, eggs, chicken, and fruit, while Raya also joined a 60-day supplementary feeding program that initially improved her weight.
Deworming Programs Already in Place
Cisri added that Raya had received deworming medication during the government’s routine distribution in February 2025. However, doctors believe her condition suggests prolonged and repeated exposure to parasites, overwhelming the protection provided by routine medication.
Community Awareness and Lessons
Health experts emphasise that ascariasis remains a preventable disease, but requires consistent hygiene practices, access to clean water, and parental compliance with medical advice. Raya’s case demonstrates how poverty, malnutrition, and limited health access can combine into a deadly outcome for children in vulnerable households.
The death of Raya in Sukabumi underscores the urgent need for stronger public health education, sanitation infrastructure, and consistent deworming efforts across Indonesia. Beyond the medical tragedy, her story reveals systemic gaps in child welfare that demand collective attention from families, communities, and policymakers.
Sources: Detikcom (2025) , CNN Indonesia (2025)
Keywords: Sukabumi Child, Worm Infection, Ascariasis, One Kilogram Worms, Child Malnutrition, Indonesia Health
