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Measles exposure alert issued for Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium, NJ health officials say
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 20, 2025
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Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 20, 2025
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Tens of thousands of concertgoers were potentially exposed to measles at a Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford last week, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
The health department said in a statement that a "non-NJ resident" recently diagnosed with the highly contagious virus attended the Colombian pop star’s concert on May 15.
Health officials said there have been no other confirmed measles cases stemming from the concert as of Tuesday. However, anyone who may have contracted measles from attending the concert, which ran until 1 a.m. the following day, could develop symptoms as late as June 6, according to health officials.
The New Jersey Department of Health said measles spreads through the air and can linger in a space for up to two hours after an infected person has left.
Health officials urged the public to check their measles, mumps and rubella vaccination status. They said the two-dose vaccine is safe and remains the most effective protection against the virus.
The virus typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose and watery red eyes, followed by a rash that usually appears three to five days after symptoms begin. Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and serious complications for those who are pregnant, including miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight, officials said.
Videos posted to social media showed tens of thousands of people in attendance at the concert. It is one of dozens of stops on Shakira’s "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" world tour, a reference to the singer’s twelfth studio album.
The stadium can hold around 50,000 people for most concerts, according to its website.
Shakira’s publicist and a spokesperson for MetLife Stadium did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Measles cases are rising nationwide, with 1,024 confirmed cases reported in 2025 as of May 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least three deaths have been linked to the virus this year and 13% of cases have required hospitalization.
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Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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