CDC said on Saturday that it had counted at least 94 probable cases of severe lung illness associated with vaping in 14 states from June 28 to August 15. Health officials said it is still unclear whether there’s a definitive link between the illnesses — which led to multiple emergency hospitalizations — and vaping, or if the devices may have simply exacerbated underlying health problems.
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What’s the problem?
As of August 21, the state-by-state case count is:
- Wisconsin (15 confirmed cases, 15 under investigation)
- Illinois (10 confirmed cases, 12 under investigation)
- California (19 cases under investigation)
- New York (11 cases “actively under investigation”)
- Indiana (6 confirmed cases, 3 under investigation)
- New Jersey ( 9 cases under investigation)
Health officials in Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah also said they were investigating cases of lung disease linked to vaping, according to CNN.
“These latest reports of pulmonary disease in people using vaping products in New York and other states are proof that more study is needed on the long-term health effects of these products,” said Dr. Howard Zucker, health commissioner for New York State.
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Some patients with suspected pulmonary disease associated with vapes were hospitalized for “multiple weeks,” in some cases ending up in the intensive care unit, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The patients came in with generalized symptoms including shortness of breath, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness and chest pain.
“There is no diagnostic code … for lung diseases related to vaping,” said Dr. Humberto Choi, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. “So it’ll be hard to follow and track.”
CDC asked physicians to collect data regarding what patients who use e-cigarettes or vapes are using. The agency said it was working with state health authorities to share information and facilitate testing.
“There are still many unanswered questions, but the health harms emerging from the current epidemic of youth vaping in Minnesota continue to increase,” said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota Department of Health’s medical director and state epidemiologist. “We are encouraging providers and parents to be on the look-out for vaping as a cause for unexplained breathing problems and lung injury and disease.”
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Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by a vape, e-cigarette or other electronic smoking device, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and we can help.
