GMB issued an urgent health update (Image: ITV)
Good Morning Britain’s usual programming was halted for an urgent national alert amid a meningitis outbreak sweeping the country. Presenters Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway were joined by guests and initially discussed energy bills, which are expected to rise due to the Middle East conflict, when the show was interrupted. Kate halted the report and announced a public health alert as the cases of meningitis had risen, once again.
This comes after the number of Brits affected was 27 yesterday; the GMB host declared that the number of confirmed cases has officially risen to 29. Two young people have died during the outbreak: Juliette Kenny, 18, who was studying for her A-levels, and a University of Kent student aged 21. The number of cases is expected to rise as the incubation period from infection to symptom onset is two to 14 days.
Read more: NHS told to bring back face masks over meningitis outbreak
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Meningitis Outbreak At The University Of Kent Leaves Two Dead (Image: Getty)
It has since emerged that an infected patient may have returned to the nightclub at the centre of the outbreak.
Health officials say one person who is now thought to have the disease went back to Club Chemistry for a second visit, potentially infecting other clubbers.
Juliette’s father, Michael, said she died on Saturday (March 14), just one day after showing symptoms of vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks. He said: “Juliette is a force in this world. The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable.”
He first became aware of his daughter’s illness when she vomited in the early hours of last Friday. Juliette, a year 13 student, exhibited no other symptoms at that time.
Wes Streeting addressed the crowd as the vaccination was being rolled out (Image: Getty)
The heartbroken father said: “In the morning on Friday, she was taken by us to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks. She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E.
“Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later. We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has spoken out and said that 2,500 doses of antibiotics had been distributed through sites in Canterbury and Broadstairs, which he said were effective in 90% of cases.
Streeting said from the very first case, contacts had been traced, with antibiotics being offered to those who may have interacted with someone with the illness. He added: “This disease, whilst very serious, is spread through close personal contact.”
This involved kissing, sharing drinks or vapes and living in shared accommodation, which is why the Government is particularly concerned about people who were at Club Chemistry on 5-7 March and in halls of residence.
“So I hope people are reassured that we are managing it, antibiotic provision is there, we’re standing up vaccination and general risk is low even if the disease itself is very serious.”
