• A warning has been issued after a measles-infected individual attended a Shakira concert.
• Potential exposure affects thousands of concertgoers at the MetLife Stadium.
• Health officials urge individuals to check vaccination status and be aware of symptoms.
• The NJDOH advises contacting healthcare providers before seeking medical care.
• Currently, no additional associated cases have been reported.

Health officials in New Jersey have issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure following a concert by Shakira at MetLife Stadium on May 15. An individual infected with the virus attended the concert, which had a sold-out capacity of 82,500, from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., putting countless concertgoers at risk. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has alerted the public that anyone present during these hours could develop symptoms, which include high fever, cough, and a characteristic rash, potentially as late as June 6, according to Newsweek and The Hill.

The NJDOH has reinforced the contagious nature of measles, stating that the virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets and can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves an area. Individuals at heightened risk are those who have not been vaccinated or who have not previously contracted the virus. As of May 20, there have been no additional confirmed cases linked to the concert, according to HuffPost and The Hill.

Health officials have indicated that enhanced measures should be adopted, including ensuring vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is “highly effective” against the virus. NJDOH encourages individuals who suspect they may have been exposed to call health care providers prior to visiting medical facilities to mitigate the spread of the virus further. At least 1,024 confirmed measles cases have been reported across the U.S. this year, with significant outbreaks linked predominantly to unvaccinated populations, leading to rising concerns about public health, according to Newsweek and HuffPost.