Things you need to know about measles outbreaks: See
Measles cases are on the rise, but many doctors have never treated them. This is what you need to know.
New Jersey health officials said those who attended the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium had measles and could spread the highly contagious virus to the event.
Those living out of state attended a concert held in East Rutherford on May 15th, according to a statement released by the New Jersey Department of Health on May 20th.
The state health department released little information about participants at the infected concert. As of May 20, no cases of measles related to the concert were reported, but symptoms could occur by June 6, the department added.
The highly anticipated concert drew tens of thousands of fans to East Rutherford. This was the first of a series of Shakira concerts at the stadium. It has a capacity of 50,000 for most concerts and 82,500 for soccer and soccer events.
The virus tends to spread more rapidly indoors, but measles can live in the air for up to two hours and is still highly contagious, especially during vaccinations. The state’s health department advised people suspected of having measles to call healthcare providers so doctors and nurses could set up special treatment sections to limit potential spreads.
The newly identified case of measles is the latest in an ongoing outbreak in the United States. As of May 16th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases of measles in 2025.
The last outbreak of a similar scale occurred in 2019 when 1,274 confirmed cases nationwide. However, with cases that exceed the 1,000 mark just five months into the year, 2025 is becoming the biggest outbreak of 25.
Measles cases across the US have been confirmed
Only three measles cases have been reported among New Jersey residents this year. Everything is from the same household in Bergen County, located northwest of New York City.
The MetLife incident was the second measles incident in New Jersey last week. On May 12, measles passengers spent several hours at Terminal B at Newar Liberty International Airport, according to the state health department.
So far, the CDC has reported 1,024 confirmed cases of measles in at least 30 states. Just five months into the year, the country’s current outbreak has overturned 285 measles cases reported in 2024.
According to the CDC, approximately 96% of cases in 2025 were patients who were not vaccinated or had no unknown condition. Of the 1,024 cases, 30% occurred in patients under the age of 5, and 38% were reported in patients between the ages of 5 and 19.
The agency also reported 128 patients hospitalised, including 69 patients under the age of five. Three deaths (two children and one adult) were confirmed nationwide in 2025.
The CDC states that there are 14 outbreaks defined as three or more related cases in the US, and 92% of 947 cases out of 1,024 are “evolution-related.”
The biggest outbreak is concentrated in West Texas. On May 20, the Texas Department of Health reported that 722 cases had been confirmed since late January.
The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine
Measles is “very contagious” and can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the CDC said. Also, breathing contaminated air can cause people to remain infected for up to two hours or by touching their mouth, eyes, or nose after contact with contaminated surfaces.
According to the CDC, symptoms of measles usually appear 7-14 days after contact with the virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and rashes that appear three to five days after the symptoms begin.
Complications of measles include ear infections, hearing loss, pneumonia, croup, diarrhea, blindness and swelling of the brain, the CDC said. Even healthy children can cause serious illness and death. In pregnant women who are not vaccinated, measles can cause premature birth or low-capacity babies.
Scientists have warned that the United States is at a turning point for the return of an endemic disease that was declared nationwide in 2000, and said public health officials in the country should provide urgent approval for a highly effective vaccine, according to Reuters.
The CDC estimates that about one in five people who have not been vaccinated in the US who have received measles will need to be hospitalized. Health experts emphasize that the best protection against illness is a vaccine that is administered alone or as part of a measles-Munz-Rubella (MMR) shot or as part of a measles-Munz-Rubella-Baricera (MMRV) vaccine.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against the virus, according to the CDC. Children usually receive the vaccine first when they are 12-15 months old and receive it again at age 4-6.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, adults born before 1957 are likely to have had measles as children, and are therefore presumed to have immunity.
Contributors: Mary Walrath Holdridge and Adriana Rodriguez, USA Today. Reuters
