Recently Shakira, pop icon, set the stage ablaze at MetLife Stadium on May 15 during her Los Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour and the 82,500-seat arena pulsed with energy, light, and fans from all over the country. But within days, a New Jersey health agency warning has cast a foreboding shadow over the night's celebrations. A concert attendee, recently diagnosed with measles, could have infected thousands of others who gathered in the packed stadium—prompting key questions about public health, immunization, and how measles is spread in close quarters. The question that's now echoing far beyond the stadium entrances: Can measles actually spread by touch?As per the New Jersey Department of Health, the infected person—a non-state visitor—was at the concert from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Nobody knows where inside the stadium the person was sitting or how many were directly around them. However, the contagious nature of the measles virus is such that physical proximity is not always required for infection.Health officials called for an alert telling concertgoers to watch for symptoms and to steer clear of direct trips to health facilities unless they are absolutely necessary, in an effort to avoid spreading more exposure. Instead, they suggested calling healthcare providers first so special precautions can be made.Can Measles Spread Through Touch?Measles, or rubeola, is one of the most contagious viruses that have ever been known by science. It is spread mostly by respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. But wait, there's more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus remains suspended in the air for as long as two hours after an infected individual has vacated the area—and it can also be deposited on surfaces. So to answer your question, yes, measles can spread by touching.If an individual touches an infected surface—such as a handrail, seat armrest, or bathroom door—and then also touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they risk infection. This is particularly worrying in places such as concert halls, where tens of thousands of individuals touch communal surfaces within a short period of time.Perhaps most disturbing is how sneaky the measles virus is. A person infected with the virus can begin to spread the virus four days before the characteristic rash shows up—and continue to spread it for four days afterward. That leaves many people who spread the disease not knowing they are ill, which makes public health responses in crowded events more difficult.Symptoms may take 7 to 14 days to develop, which is why health officials are calling for alertness at least until June 6. Early measles symptoms mimic the flu: high fever, dry cough, runny nose, and watery, red eyes. The telltale rash—flat red spots beginning at the hairline and spreading downward—may follow later, after the virus has already been spread to others.Why the Measles Outbreak in 2025 Is Alarming?The Shakira concert incident isn’t an isolated case. The U.S. is in the midst of its worst measles outbreak in three decades. As of mid-May 2025, the CDC has reported 1,024 cases across 31 states—more than triple the total number of cases in all of 2024. Fourteen distinct outbreaks have been recorded so far this year, and a staggering 92% of cases are connected to these outbreaks. Three people have died.There are several reasons why a disease believed to be almost eradicated in the U.S. is making a comeback. Among them are decreased vaccination coverage, false information on vaccine safety, and lack of global immunization due to compromised access to healthcare during the COVID-19 crisis.Who's Most at Risk?Though measles may infect anyone who is not immune, there are some groups that are particularly susceptible. Those who are too young to be vaccinated with MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) are at risk, as well as those with weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions that make it impossible for them to be vaccinated. Those who have not been given both doses of the MMR vaccine or who never caught measles are also at greater risk.The CDC estimates that as many as 90% of non-immune contacts of a patient with measles will become infected.As of Tuesday, there were no other confirmed cases related to the concert. Nevertheless, health officials are warning anyone who went to the concert and starts showing signs to stay out of public areas and reach out to a healthcare provider right away.The outbreak has stimulated renewed calls for vaccination and awareness. "This is not an individual health matter but a public health threat," said one CDC official. "Vaccination is our strongest protection, and all who can be vaccinated should be.The irony isn't lost on many: what was meant to be a unifying event for people around the country might now stand as a national reminder of the residual potency of contagious disease—and the value of public health vigilance.While Shakira's tunes will ring on in the ears of fans, the possible health effect of the night might resonate much further. As the tale is told, it is a wake-up call and also a chance to reiterate the value of vaccination, early diagnosis, and safe conduct during possible epidemics.