1000’s of individuals might have been uncovered to measles in New Jersey after attending a sold-out Shakira live performance final week, well being officers mentioned.
An out-of-state resident contaminated with the extremely contagious virus attended the “Whenever, Wherever” singer’s Could 15 present at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the state’s Division of Health introduced Tuesday.
The individual, whose precise seating within the stadium was not shared, was on the venue from 7:30 p.m. till 1 a.m. the next morning. Anybody who visited the stadium, which has a seating capability of 82,500, throughout these hours might have been uncovered to the virus, which will be particularly harmful for youngsters, leading to respiratory and neurologic issues and dying.
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“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,” the Health Division mentioned.
No extra instances related to the person had been recognized as of Tuesday. A Health Division spokesperson didn’t instantly reply to HuffPost’s request for remark Thursday on the place the individual was seated and whether or not new instances have since been recognized.
Health officers are encouraging residents to rise up up to now on their vaccinations and concentrate on the virus’ signs. These embody a excessive fever, cough, runny nostril, watery purple eyes and a rash that often seems between three and 5 days after signs start.
Anybody who suspects publicity or sickness is requested to name a well being care supplier earlier than going to a medical workplace or emergency division to forestall potential unfold.
“Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection,” the Health Division mentioned.
The well being advisory comes because the U.S. faces its second-largest case depend of the virus ― which was declared eradicated within the U.S. in 2000 ― in 25 years.
As of final week, there have been 1,024 confirmed measles instances and three associated deaths in 31 states thus far this yr, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The overwhelming majority of instances, 96%, have concerned individuals not vaccinated or with an unknown vaccination standing. Of these hospitalized, most have been beneath the age of 5.
