Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid confirmed that 20 cases are being investigated, with nine confirmed
Ed Balls and Susanna Reid hosted Good Morning Britain(Image: ITV screengrab)
Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid has revealed that 20 cases are now under investigation following the meningitis outbreak.
The broadcaster was fronting the ITV programme alongside Ed Balls when she told viewers there was breaking news regarding the outbreak, which has been focused in Kent, reports the Mirror.
“The UK Health Security Agency is confirming this morning there are now 20 cases of meningitis connected to that outbreak in Kent,” she said. “Nine of those are confirmed cases. The other 11 are being investigated and six of the confirmed cases are now known to be meningitis B.”
She continued: “Of course we’ll be speaking to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting about whether all young people should now be vaccinated against meningitis B.”
The presenter also mentioned that a nine-month-old baby girl was receiving treatment at a children’s hospital in London.
Ed added: “It’s not thought her case is linked to the outbreak in Kent, but investigations are continuing.”
The show then switched to a segment from reporter Nick Dixon, who was stationed at the University of Kent in Canterbury.
“We’re hearing this news this morning of an increase in cases,” he said. “I think, though, to a degree that is expected at this early stage of the outbreak with all the testing and the contact tracing that’s going on here at the university. They are waiting for supplies of the vaccine to arrive.
“They are mobilising staff and resources to get this testing, this vaccination programme up and running in the next couple of days. I think, realistically, according to the staff, it’s going to be the end of the week before it happens at the earliest to test around 5,000 university students.”
A message on the government website said: “The UK Health Security Agency is continuing to investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent. As of 5pm on 17 March, nine laboratory cases are confirmed and 11 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 20. Six of the confirmed cases are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease.
“Sadly two people have died, with no further deaths since the last update.”
It continued: “One individual who had resided in Kent presented to a London hospital with no community contacts in London.
“All those affected who are currently linked to the outbreak are young adults. UKHSA is aware of a baby with confirmed Meningococcal group B infection who is not currently linked to the outbreak but UKHSA will continue to investigate this case.”
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV
