Did Shakira's concert in New Jersey last week contribute to the spread of the world's most infectious disease? Here's what reports say

Thousands of Shakira fans might have been exposed to measles at her concert in New Jersey last week. The concert was held at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night and may have been a super-spreader event.

A person with measles attended the concert while infected. It’s unclear if they were vaccinated or not. The health warning says people at the show could show symptoms until June 6, as per reports.

Shakira’s concert was part of her ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ tour. Fans, from the United States and South America alike, poured in for the tour. With Puerto Rico Singer Ozuna joining Shakira to perform their duet.

The stadium can hold 8.2 million people, however, as New Jersey Transit was on strike, reaching the venue from Port Authority became arduous for fans, as many had to take Coach USA buses

So far this year, five measles cases have been confirmed in New York State, but no big outbreaks yet. In the US, fewer people are getting vaccines because some are scared of side effects and don’t like being told to get shots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says measles spreads super fast. It has the capacity to spread to at least 10 people from one infected individual, with germs lingering in the air for over two hours. Coughs and Sneezes are the major transmission reasons.

The best way to stop it is by getting the MMR vaccine for Measles, Mumps, Rubella. Two doses work 97% of the time, says the CDC. The New Jersey Health Department told parents, doctors, and caregivers to watch out for symptoms and act fast.

The alert also includes both shows at MetLife; people at the venue between 7:30 pm and 1am on May 15 may be at risk. Health officials haven’t shared where the infected person sat, where they came from, or how they got to the concert. So far, no other measles cases linked to this person have been reported. Just before this, another measles alert was issued for Newark Liberty International Airport.

The infected person passed through Terminal B between 12:30 pm and 4pm, possibly exposing many travelers. The airport case and the concert case are not believed to be related. Meanwhile, Texas is having the worst measles outbreak in 20 years, 722 cases, 92 hospitalizations, and 2 young girls died, as per Texas Health Officials mentioned in the reports.

The outbreak in Texas started in a community with low vaccination rates. In 2000 the U.S. got the measles-free status, and now the officials are afraid they might lose this tag.

The MetLife Stadium can hold up to 82,500 people, so a lot of fans may have been exposed. The concert was at the same venue, but officials say her fans aren’t at risk from

FAQs

Q1. Was there a measles case at Shakira’s concert?
Yes, one person with measles was at the concert, officials confirmed.

Q2. Does measles spread?
Yes, measles can spread coughing, sneezing or air.