New Jersey health officials just dropped a bombshell about a possible measles exposure at the Shakira concert held at MetLife Stadium. Talk about a concert that keeps on giving…in all the wrong ways.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) spilled the tea on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, revealing that a non-New Jersey resident brought the measles to the party at the concert. This infectious individual decided to crash the concert party that went down from Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. all the way into the wee hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, at 1 a.m. The concert hotspot? None other than MetLife Stadium on 1 MetLife Stadium Drive in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
If you were living your best life at the concert and now you’re feeling some type of way about a possible measles exposure or illness, the officials have one piece of advice for you: hit up your health care provider before making any moves towards a medical office or emergency department. Don’t be that person who just shows up unannounced, okay? Symptoms from the concert rendezvous could pop up as late as June 6, 2025, so keep those eyes peeled.
Who Should Worry and Why
So, who’s at risk of catching this unwanted concert souvenir called measles? Well, it’s the folks who haven’t been fully vaccinated or haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing measles in the past. The MMR vaccine is the superhero shield against measles, mumps, and rubella, given in two doses for maximum protection. Not really sure why this matters, but hey, better safe than sorry, right? This vaccine is not just your average Joe – it also prevents complications that these three diseases throw at you.
Health officials are basically the hype squad for routine vaccinations, especially the MMR shots. If you’re jet-setting internationally, make sure you’re fully vaccinated before you hop on that plane. Babies between 6 months and 11 months should also get a dose of the MMR vaccine before any travel adventures and two more doses after their first birthday. Safety first, tiny humans.
Spotting Measles and Dealing with the Drama
Measles symptoms are like the ultimate party crashers – high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that likes to make a grand entrance three to five days after the symptoms RSVP. This rash doesn’t play it cool – it starts as flat red spots on the face and then decides to spread like wildfire down your neck, torso, arms, legs, and even your feet. Measles doesn’t stop there – it can bring pneumonia and brain swelling to the party. Oh, and let’s not forget about the potential consequences for pregnant folks – miscarriage, premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby. Just when you thought the concert was over, right?
The virus causing all this chaos spreads like gossip in the air when someone sneezes or coughs and can linger around for up to two hours after the infected person makes a run for it. If that’s not enough, you can also get sick by coming in contact with mucus or saliva from the culprit. It’s like a game of tag, but no one’s having fun. So, folks, stay safe, get vaccinated, and keep an eye out for any unexpected party guests like measles. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
