WA iron ore industry on alert after BHP confirms measles case in the Pilbara

Australia Broadcast Center

7 days ago

Several staff members at a mine site in WA's north are isolating, after two people with measles visited the Pilbara region in early July.
Mining giant BHP confirmed to 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."
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.
While no further cases have been confirmed in Newman, the ABC understands several members of staff 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 confirmed it was aware of the cases reported by WA Health and was working with health authorities.
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.
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.
The ABC understands the second confirmed case is a member of the Qantas flight crew.
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.
Anyone who was in Perth, Newman or Port Hedland airports around that time should also monitor for symptoms.
Qantas has been contacted for comment.
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.