When Shakira fans decided to attend a concert at MetLife Stadium, they certainly didn’t expect to leave with an unwanted souvenir. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened, as New Jersey health officials have issued a measles exposure warning for those who attended the event. Authorities discovered that an individual infected with the disease was in the event. Now, countless people who may have come into contact with them are at risk of developing the disease.
Measles is a highly contagious illness. All it takes is for someone infected to cough into the air. Then, the virus can hang around for up to two hours, alive and ready to infect others. Considering how packed the stadium was during the Shakira concert, it’s not hard to imagine just how many people could have been exposed to the virus.
If you or someone close to you attended the New Jersey concert, it’s important to stay alert. Measles symptoms don’t show up right away. In fact, it can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days after exposure before signs begin to appear. If you suddenly come down with a high fever, develop a cough, or notice a rash, it might be a good idea to see a doctor. However, New Jersey health officials are urging anyone who feels sick to call ahead before visiting a medical facility, just to make sure healthcare workers aren’t accidentally exposed to the virus too.
Aside from that, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is incredibly effective and can go a long way in keeping you safe. Luckily, as of now, no additional cases of this illness linked to the event have been reported. Hopefully, it stays that way.
Many people are, of course, concerned about the situation. No one wants to experience a measles outbreak, especially after attending what should have been a fun and memorable concert. However, as with many things on the internet, some have chosen to cope with humor. One Redditor jokingly referenced Shakira’s lyrics, saying, “Oh baby when you cough like that…”
Still, others shifted the conversation toward the root of the issue: the growing influence of the anti-vaccination movement. Seeing measles make a comeback has left many shaking their heads. One user commented, “This is pretty interesting because for most intents and purposes, measles was considered eradicated back in 2000. Now that it’s coming back due to lack of vaccination, a lot of people are about to discover exactly how contagious it could be.”
