Authorities are warning of a potential health crisis after a person infected with measles attended a sold-out Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium on May 15.

Daily Mail reported that the New Jersey Department of Health has issued a statewide alert after learning that a non-resident infected with the measles virus was inside the stadium for nearly six hours, potentially exposing thousands of concertgoers to the highly contagious disease.

The exposure occurred during Shakira’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour stop in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The concert, attended by tens of thousands of fans, featured performances alongside guest artists, including Ozuna, Wyclef Jean, and Rauw Alejandro. Officials confirmed the infected individual was present between 7:30 p.m. on May 15 and 1 a.m. the following day.

While health officials have withheld key identifying details — including the individual’s vaccination status, seating location, and travel method — they confirmed the person is not a New Jersey resident. So far, no additional measles cases have been linked to the incident, but health officials warn symptoms in exposed individuals may not appear until June 6.

Tracking potential viral spread across states and borders

This concert marked the second U.S. stop on Shakira’s tour, following a May 13 show in Charlotte, North Carolina. MetLife Stadium, which seats up to 82,500 fans, has become a focal point in the growing concern over rapid viral transmission, given the massive turnout. Concertgoers traveled from locations across the country and abroad, amplifying the risk of interstate and international spread.

Officials fear the event could become a “super-spreader,” citing measles’s alarming rate of infection. The virus transmits through airborne droplets and can linger in the air for up to two hours, making exposure likely even without close contact. The infection rate among unvaccinated individuals reaches up to 90% upon contact.

New Jersey health officials released a formal advisory in the days following the concert. In their statement, they urged the public, particularly caregivers and medical professionals, to be vigilant. “Individuals — especially parents, guardians, health care providers, and caregivers — are urged to be aware of the symptoms of this highly contagious virus,” the agency stated.

Concertgoers left vulnerable during transit disruption

Compounding the challenge was a transit strike impacting New Jersey Transit services on the night of the concert. Many fans had to seek alternative transportation, such as Coach USA buses departing from New York City’s Port Authority. These crowded transfers may have added to the risk of disease transmission.

The concert warning comes amid a broader uptick in U.S. measles cases this year. While New Jersey has only logged five confirmed cases in 2025, this incident has raised major public health concerns. A separate measles alert was issued earlier at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B, linked to a separate case, further fueling anxiety about the virus’s spread.

Worries over the Shakira concert exposure have prompted questions about safety protocols at upcoming large events. The Department of Health has clarified that a forthcoming Beyoncé concert at MetLife Stadium is not related to this measles case, though continued surveillance is advised.

History of measles and its escalating dangers

Measles, long considered eliminated in the U.S. as of 2000, is seeing a measurable comeback. While highly preventable through vaccination, falling immunization rates have helped the disease regain a foothold. The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, with an effectiveness rate of 97%.

The disease typically begins with flu-like symptoms — fever, cough, runny nose — before escalating to a full-body rash. For unvaccinated populations, the risks are dire. Severe complications include pneumonia, brain swelling and, in roughly one out of every 1,000 cases, death.

This latest incident draws unwelcome parallels to a large-scale outbreak in Texas earlier in 2025, which resulted in over 722 infections, 92 hospitalizations, and two deaths — children aged six and eight. That outbreak is now labeled the most serious of its kind in two decades.

Why this story matters

This story is an urgent wake-up call about the consequences of declining vaccination rates in the United States. With outbreaks now disrupting iconic cultural events, the public must be reminded of the power — and necessity — of community immunity. It underscores how quickly a single infection can cascade into a multi-state health emergency due to the interconnected nature of public life. Most importantly, it calls for renewed cooperation between health systems, event organizers, and attendees to prioritize public safety in all large gatherings moving forward.

Conclusion

A confirmed measles case at Shakira’s May 15 MetLife Stadium concert has triggered serious public health warnings amid a growing national epidemic. The infected person, who is not from New Jersey, attended the performance with thousands of other fans between 7:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., potentially exposing others during transit and within the venue. The highly infectious nature of measles, coupled with falling vaccine rates and increased travel, has made this a tinderbox moment. No related cases have yet surfaced, but symptoms may appear through June 6, and authorities are urging caution. The event comes as the U.S. faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with high stakes for vaccination, public awareness, and timely response.