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The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued a warning about potential measles exposures at a Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium. The concert took place Thursday, May 15 in East Rutherford and officials are concerned that an attendee may have spread the highly contagious virus at the event.
New Jersey Department of Health officials are alerting residents about a newly identified case of measles in a non-New Jersey resident that attended the Shakira concert from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Thursday “while infectious.”
“Individuals – especially parents, guardians, health care providers, and caregivers – are urged to be aware of the symptoms of this highly contagious virus and to ensure they are up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots,” the NJDOH said in a press release.
“NJDOH recommends that anyone who visited the following location only during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles,” the press release continued. “Anyone who suspects an exposure or illness is urged to call a health care provider BEFORE going to any medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection. Please do not visit a medical facility without calling ahead.”
The NJDOH also warned that it could take potentially exposed individuals until as late as June 6 to develop symptoms. Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears within three to five days of the initial onset of symptoms.
The virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.
Individuals at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past.
MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, is safe and the most effective way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine is also effective at preventing complications caused by these highly contagious diseases.
Last week, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) issued another alert for residents and travelers about a measles-infected non-New Jersey resident that traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport. It was reported that it was at least the second time a measles-infected passenger had traveled through the Newark airport this year.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there have been 1,024 confirmed measles cases in 31 states, but that number does not include hundreds of people who are suspected to be infected with measles, but have either gone untested or unreported.