Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) & Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) Joint Media Statement
Western Australia’s remote Aboriginal communities are currently at high risk of measles exposure, with 47 cases confirmed Statewide in 2025, compared with only six cases
last year.
All Pilbara residents and travellers are being urged to check their measles vaccination status after eight cases linked to a community outbreak were confirmed in Port Hedland, South Hedland, and Karratha. New exposure sites continue to be identified as the virus begins to spread locally within the region, not just via transmission from overseas travellers.
The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia’s Public Health Medical Officer Dr Caitlyn White said stopping the highly contagious measles outbreak was essential to ensuring the health of our communities, especially in areas where people live close together or where vaccination rates are lower.
“Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can stay in the air for up to 30 minutes after an infected person leaves a room. It can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, and up to one-third of cases may require hospital care,” Dr White said.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself. Anyone born after 1965 who has not received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine should speak to their local clinic or health professional as soon as possible. If you are unsure about your vaccination history, you are eligible for a free measles vaccine, as extra doses are not harmful. Children at 12 and 18 months old can also receive a free vaccine as part of their routine childhood vaccination schedule.
Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance Chief Executive Ashley Councillor urged all health services, including those in remote Aboriginal communities, to ensure staff are immune to measles in keeping with health service policies; have procedures in place to triage and manage patients presenting with measles symptoms and to provide MMR vaccination for staff and patients born after 1965 who do not have two documented doses of a measles containing vaccine.
“Organisations operating in remote communities, including community councils and remote community service providers should consider how they can protect communities from measles importation,” Mr Councillor said.
“Staff should be made aware of the elevated risk of measles importation to remote communities, and the need to consider this risk when travelling to known measles outbreak locations, such as Bali. On return from travel to high-risk measles areas, staff should monitor for symptoms, seek testing for measles and isolate until results are available.”
It is recommended that all residents and visitors in the Pilbara:
- check their measles vaccination status
- stay up to date with exposure locations here
- monitor for symptoms—even if you haven’t been to an exposure site
Measles symptoms include fever, tiredness, sore eyes, cough, and runny nose, followed by a red, non-itchy rash that usually starts on the face. The rash may present differently in people with darker skin tones as the redness may be less apparent. People are infectious from one day before symptoms appear until four days after the rash develops. A person is more contagious before the rash is visible.
If you think you have measles, wear a mask to stop the spread and stay away from others. Get help from your local clinic or hospital, and ensure you call them beforehand to let them know you may have the virus and need to be tested.
Eliminating measles protects future generations and strengthens the health of communities.
Free measles vaccinations are available across various health services in the Pilbara. Click here to find your nearest clinic. For more health advice, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or speak to your local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.