Justin Bieber has canceled the remaining dates on his Justice world tour following ongoing health issues.
The 29-year-old singer has postponed the tour several times, telling fans last summer that he was suffering from facial paralysis, after a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS).
He said in September 2022 that he wanted to make his “health a priority”.
The rare condition resulted in complete paralysis of the right side of his face in June, forcing Justin Bieber to cancel performances.
The tour’s official Twitter page posted on Tuesday that ticket holders would receive a refund.
The singer had been due to play shows in the US, Australia, and Europe, including a date in Manchester this Saturday (4 March).
However, some of Bieber’s fans had previously expressed their dismay about not receiving refunds for scrapped dates on the tour, which reportedly grossed $55m (£46m).
The Grammy-winning Canadian artist’s last album, featuring the likes of Burna Boy, Chance the Rapper, and Khalid, brought him more success, reaching number one in the US and number two in the UK chart in April 2021.
RHS is caused by viral reactivation and causes facial palsy or facial paralysis as it is known in the US.
But he has since said that shows in Europe had “taken a real toll on me” and that he needs more time to “rest and get better”.
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox clears up, the virus still lives on the nerves. Years later, it may reactivate. When it does, it can affect your facial nerves.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus) occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. In addition to the painful shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear.
Prompt treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can reduce the risk of complications, which can include permanent facial muscle weakness and deafness.
The two main signs and symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome are a painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in, and around one ear and facial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear.
Usually, the rash and the facial paralysis occur at the same time. Sometimes one can happen before the other. Other times, the rash never occurs.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome can make one experience ear pain, hearing loss, ringing in your ears, difficulty in closing one eye, a sensation of spinning or moving, a change in taste perception or loss of taste, dry mouth, and eyes.
The risk factors of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can occur in anyone who has had chickenpox. It’s more common in older adults, typically affecting people older than 60. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare in children.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome isn’t contagious.
However, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in people who haven’t previously had chickenpox or been vaccinated for it. The infection can be serious for people who have immune system problems.
Children should be routinely vaccinated against chickenpox, which greatly reduces the chances of becoming infected with the chickenpox virus. A shingles vaccine for people aged 50 or older also is recommended in order not to be infected.
It can be treated with steroids, antiviral medication, and facial rehabilitation.
According to the charity Facial Palsy UK, if the immune system becomes depressed and is less able to fight off infection, the body can become vulnerable to a reactivation of the chickenpox virus.
It says stress is often a trigger as it can weaken the immune system, and people who are stressed are more likely to suffer from infections.
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