Measles testing sites have been opened across the Pilbara as health authorities work to identify the source of a fresh outbreak after four new cases were confirmed in the region on Monday 29 September 2025.
Measles typically develops around 10 days after being exposed to the virus, but this can vary from 7 to 18 days.
Measles is highly infectious and can spread via airborne droplets to people close by (e.g. in waiting rooms). Droplets in the air may still infect people entering a room up to 30 minutes after an infected person has left it.
Almost a dozen new exposure sites across Karratha and Port Hedland have been added to a public health alert after the cases visited several locations — including emergency departments at both Hedland and Karratha health campuses while infectious.
Testing sites have been opened at five locations in a bid to prevent further spread, including Hedland Health Campus, Karratha Health Campus, Roebourne Hospital, Onslow Health Service and Newman Health Service.