Warning: CDC On Outbreak Of Vaping-Related Diseases In Illinois

ILLINOIS — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multi state outbreak of severe lung diseases related to e-cigarette products and has this warning, for now, as a bottom line: “While this investigation is ongoing, consider not using e-cigarette products.”

As of Sept. 24, 805 cases of lung illnesses reported to the CDC are suspected of being related to e-cigarettes in 46 different states and 1 U.S. territory. This is up from the 380 suspected cases reported by the CDC in early September.

The death toll has also risen, with 12 deaths now confirmed across 10 states, including Illinois.

Puffing a cloud of smoke from an e-cig suddenly isn’t so cool, if it ever was.

Out of the hundreds of reported cases, Illinois has reported one death and according to the CDC, is responsible for 50 to 99 cases of vaping-related lung illness. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 69 cases of vaping-related illness as of late September, and said another 13 possible cases were being investigated.

The CDC has received complete sex and age data on 373 cases:

• Nearly three fourths (72 percent) of cases are male.
• Two thirds (67 percent) oc cases are 18 to 34 years old.
• 38 percent of cases are in people under 21 years old.
• 17 percent are 35 years or older.

The investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product or substance that is linked to all cases. However, based on the data, most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC.

The health protection agency provides recommendations for the public to best avoid any e-cigarette related disease.

• Consider not using the products while the investigation is ongoing.

• Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette products.
• Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products.
• Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette products.
• If you do use e-cigarette products, you should not buy these products off the street.

Here are symptoms being investigated:

• Patients in this investigation have reported symptoms such as:
• cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• fatigue, fever, or weight loss
• Some patients have reported that their symptoms developed over a few days, while others have reported that their symptoms developed over several weeks. A pulmonary infection does not appear to be causing the symptoms, which have generally not improved with antibiotic treatment alone.

Here is the full list of the 46 states with possible reported cases of e-cigarette related issues.

• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia