CDC Warning: Vape-Related Illnesses Hit Michigan

MICHIGAN — 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 early September, upward of 380 cases of lung illnesses reported to the CDC are suspected of being related to e-cigarettes in 33 different states and one U.S. territory. Deaths have been reported in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon.

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, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services last month said it is investigating six reported cases of vaping-associated lung infections. All six cases had been diagnosed in the previous 60 days, Michigan health officials said. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 39 and all were in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

The state has also become the first in the country to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, with a new law that prohibits the retail sale of vaping products that use sweet and fruity flavors as well as mint and menthol ones. Tobacco-flavored products are not part of the ban.

"My number one priority is keeping our kids safe and protecting the health of the people of Michigan," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

The investigation has not identified any one substance or e-cigarette product that is directly linked to all cases, and there is also no evidence the diseases are infectious, which means the illnesses are most likely associated with chemical exposure, according to the CDC.

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 33 states with possible reported cases of e-cigarette related issues.

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia