Authorities are hunting a Qantas-flying “patient zero” and staff at a mine site in Western Australia’s north have been isolated after two people with measles visited the Pilbara region this month.
Qantas and mining giant BHP confirmed their workers contracted the virus.
WA’s acting chief health officer Paul Armstrong told ABC Radio Perth contact tracing was underway to determine the identity of the measles carrier who infected both cases.
BHP told the ABC that one of the cases travelled to Newman, 1,170km north-east of Perth, on July 2 and attended work at its Newman Operations site.
“We are managing a single confirmed case of measles at our Newman Operations,” the company said in a statement to the ABC.
“The individual has been off-site for the past week and no additional cases have been identified.”
The health alert also lists a second case of measles in a person who travelled to Port Hedland on July 3 on flight QF1642, before immediately returning to Perth on QF1643.
Qantas has confirmed the second case was a member of their flight crew.
“One of our crew contracted measles following a flight in early July,” a spokesperson for the airline said.
“We advised WA Health of our team member’s positive diagnosis and conducted contact tracing internally to identify other staff who might have been in contact with the impacted crew member.”
WA Health says two locally acquired cases of measles have been identified in WA this week. (Supplied: Centres for Disease Control)
Workers in isolation at BHP camp
Newman has a population of about 7,000 people where BHP operates two mines, which produce about 78 million tonnes of iron ore a year.
BHP said its Newman Operations had as many as 1,500 workers on-site on any given day, fluctuating with shutdown events and other short-term works or projects.
While no further cases have been confirmed in Newman, the ABC understands several workers are isolating in a mining camp, with a small number exhibiting cold and flu-like symptoms.
The BHP spokesperson told the ABC the company’s health and safety team had “implemented precautionary measures” and was working with the WA Department of Health to closely monitor the situation.
It is understood that there has been no impact on the mine’s operations.
Fortescue Mining Group also manages mine sites in the region and has confirmed it is aware of the cases and is in contact with health authorities.
What is the measles?
It is believed the positive case travelled from Newman to Perth on Qantas flight QF1705 on June 23, before travelling back to Newman on Qantas flight QF1708 on July 2.
While in Newman, the person attended a fuel station on the morning of July 4 and returned to Perth on Qantas flight QF1705 on July 7.
Contact tracing underway
Acting Chief Health Officer Paul Armstrong told ABC Radio Perth contact tracing was underway to determine the identity of the “patient zero” who infected both cases.
“There is a particular flight from Newman to Perth on the 23rd [of June] which we think that’s where the smoking gun is,” Dr Armstrong said.
“Either on that flight or at Perth airport when the two [positive cases] got off.”
Port Hedland is a major airport for industry and FIFO workers in the Pilbara, with the town home to the world’s largest bulk export port.
Qantas flights QF1642 and QF1643 between Perth and Port Hedland have been announced as exposure locations. (ABC Pilbara: Jessica Shackleton)
Anyone who was in Perth, Newman or Port Hedland airports around that time should also monitor for symptoms.
“It’s about making sure people are aware of the symptoms of measles and to isolate themselves immediately,” Dr Armstrong said.
“Then to look out for any contacts that may have been exposed to these people that aren’t immune and to make sure that they’re very aware of the symptoms of measles so they can look out for them.”
Highly infectious disease
Exposure sites also include retail and food locations in the Perth suburbs of Scarborough and Mindarie between July 1 and July 8.
While measles symptoms usually become apparent 10 days after exposure, the Department of Health has warned it can take up to 18 days for the illness to take hold.
It can be passed on via airborne droplets, and symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough, sore eyes, and large red rashes.
Measles can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and, in rare cases, can be fatal.
Anyone who visited the locations listed and develops symptoms should seek medical advice immediately, and call ahead to warn medical professionals of the infection risk.
WA measles exposure sites as of July 15, 2025. (Supplied: WA Health)
