The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it had identified 193 potential cases of severe lung illness tied to vaping in 22 states as of Aug. 22, including one adult in Illinois who died after being hospitalized. Yahaira Jacquez reports.
It could be the first death linked to vaping in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it had identified nearly 200 potential cases of severe lung illness tied to vaping across 22 states, including one adult in Illinois who died after being hospitalized.
The CDC is investigating a “cluster” of lung illnesses that it believes may be linked to the use of e-cigarettes, though it’s yet to confirm whether they were actually caused by vaping.
Health officials are trying to learn which specific vaping products were used and whether they were being used as intended or mixed with other substances.
Officials said some patients had reported vaping with cannabis liquids.
In a statement on Thursday, the president of the American Vaping Association, said he was “confident” the illnesses were being caused by devices containing cannabis or other synthetic drugs, not nicotine.
Patients have reported difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and sometimes chest pain before being hospitalized, while others have shown symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue.