WA's Ebola risk is low, chief health officer says

Clare Huppatz says the state is working with the federal government to coordinate its diphtheria response. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

Clare Huppatz tells Stateline in her first TV interview since becoming WA's chief health officer that the risk of Ebola entering the state is low, due to the low number of people travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr Huppatz said the state's diphtheria outbreak was unusual, but not something that could not be managed.

The chief health officer hopes she can inspire other women and young girls to take up a career in public health to improve outcomes for the population.

Western Australia's new chief health officer is confident the risk of Ebola entering the state is low as authorities continue to monitor travel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid an outbreak of the deadly disease.

With several WA-based mining companies and contractors travelling to and from the stricken country, discussions are underway about what to do if a suspected case does reach Australian shores.

Clare Huppatz said Ebola was just one of a number of potentially fatal disease outbreaks she's had to model since assuming the state's top health job in late February.

Clare Huppatz has had several public health matters to deal with already. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

Six passengers from a Hantavirus-hit cruise ship are quarantining in Perth and diphtheria is spreading in WA's north, while the flu season is also underway.

Six passengers who were on a cruise ship that was hit by an outbreak of hantavirus have had their quarantine period in the outer Perth suburb of Bullsbrook extended until June 23.

"It is true that there's a lot happening both in the world and there's been quite a bit happening in Western Australia recently," Dr Huppatz told Stateline.

Dr Huppatz is no stranger to major health crises, having played a central leadership role in WA's COVID-19 pandemic response.

In her first sit-down interview as the state's chief health officer (CHO), she acknowledged the long list of challenges facing public health.

Clare Huppatz believes Australia is in a good position to prevent any major disease outbreak. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)

"There are a few patterns in the world that do make infectious disease movement and transmission more likely," she said, referring to global unrest and conflict, as well as declining vaccination rates, among other factors.

She believes Australia is in a good position to combat these sorts of threats, both at the border and in hospitals, and like her predecessor Dr Andy Robertson, is alert