Workers on two of BHP’s mine sites in the Pilbara are being urged to wash their hands with fears some employees have contracted scarlet fever.

The viral infection of the throat presents with a fine red rash, it can be serious although deaths are rare.

A handful of workers at the Mining Area C and South Flank sites have been quarantined amid concerns they’ve picked up the virus.

WA President of the Australian Medical Association Omar Khorshid says it’s spread through coughing and sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces.

Download this podcast here