Workers isolating after measles cases confirmed at BHP Newman minesite and in a Qantas crew member

A Qantas crew member and a miner in WA’s north are among the latest measles cases, with some staff at the Pilbara mine site isolating following the exposure.

Mining company BHP confirmed a staff member with measles attended work at its Newman operations earlier this month.

“We are managing a single confirmed case of measles at our Newman Operations,” a BHP spokesman said.

“The individual has been off-site for the past week, and no additional cases have been identified.”

The spokesman said BHP was working closely with medical experts and the Department of Health.

“Our health and safety team has implemented precautionary measures for the wellbeing of our workforce and the community,” he said.

It is understood that several workers are isolating at a minesite camp with cold and flu-like symptoms. The exposure was limited to a specific shutdown area.

Mining operations have not been impacted by the case.

The BHP measles case is understood to have travelled on Qantas flight QF1705 from Newman to Perth on June 23 before flying back to Newman on flight QF1708 on July 2.

The person attended a Shell fuel station in Newman on July 4 before catching flight QF1705 to Perth on July 7.

There was a second case of measles in the Pilbara region after the person flew to Port Hedland on July 3 on flight QF1642 before returning the same day on flight QF1643.

A Qantas spokesman confirmed it was one of the flight crew that contracted measles following a flight in early July.

“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,” he said.

It is understood the crew member remains off work until no further symptoms are present.

Measles is a highly infectious virus which can spread via airborne droplets and usually develops 10 days after exposure.

Symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and sore eyes, followed by a florid red non-itchy rash three or four days later.

The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Anyone who is not immune and attended the exposure sites during the listed dates and times should monitor for symptoms from seven to 18 days after attending that location.

Healthdirect 1800 022 222

Exposure sites:

Tuesday 8/07/2025, 2.00pm to 2.45pm, BP Mindarie, 360 Anchorage Drive North, Mindarie

Monday 7/07/2025, 11.30am to 12.20pm, Perth Airport, Terminal 3/4 Miller Road, Perth Airport WA 6105

Monday 7/07/2025, 9.30am to 11.30am, Qantas flight QF1705, Newman to Perth

Monday 7/07/2025, 9.25am to 10.00am, Newman Airport Ruland Circuit, Newman WA 6753

Friday 4/07/2025, 11.45am to 3.30am, Epicurean Restaurant and Crown Perth precinct (including atrium area and casino)

Friday 4/07/2025, 6.00am to 6.45am, Shell Smart Mart Newman 1 Newman Drive, Newman WA 6753

Thursday 3/07/2025, 1:15pm to 2:10pm, Perth Airport, Domestic Terminal 3/4 (Qantas)

Thursday 3/07/2025, 10.25am to 1.20pm, Qantas flight QF1643, Port Hedland to Perth

Thursday 3/07/2025, 7.10am to 9.30am, Qantas flight QF1642, Perth to Port Hedland

Thursday 3/07/2025, 5.45am to 7.30am, Perth Airport, Domestic Terminal 3/4 (Qantas) including boarding gate for QF1642 to Port Hedland

Wednesday 2/07/2025, 3:20pm to 4:00pm, Newman Airport Ruland Circuit, Newman WA 6753

Wednesday 2/07/2025, 1:35pm to 3:20pm, Qantas flight QF1708, Perth to Newman

Wednesday 2/07/2025, 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Perth Airport, Terminal 3/4 Miller Road, Perth Airport WA 6105

Tuesday 1/07/2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Zambrero Scarborough 148 The Esplanade, Scarborough WA 6019

Tuesday 1/07/2025, 12:00pm to 2:30pm, Revo Fitness Scarborough 241 West Coast Highway, Scarborough WA 6019

Tuesday 1/07/2025, 11:00am to 12:30pm, Coles Scarborough Corner West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough WA 6019.

Monday 23/06/2025, 11.30am to 12.30pm, Perth Airport, Domestic Terminal 3/4 (Qantas)

Monday 23/06/2025, 9.00am to 12.00pm, Qantas flight QF1705, Newman to Perth