WASHINGTON D.C. – The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced the updated number of confirmed and probable lung injury cases and deaths associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping.
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced the updated number of confirmed and probable lung injury cases and deaths associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping.
PATIENTS WITH LUNG INJURY
As of Oct. 1, 2019, 1,080 confirmed and probable lung injury cases associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping, were reported by 48 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The increase of 275 cases since last week is a combination of new patients becoming ill in the past two weeks and recent reporting of previously identified patients. Among 578 patients with information on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 90 days prior to symptom onset:
About 78% reported using THC-containing products, with or without nicotine-containing products; 37% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products; and 17% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products. These percentages are consistent with previous reports. About 70% of patients are male. Approximately 80% of the patients are under 35 years old; 16% are under 18 years old. The median age of patients is 23 years, ranging from 13 to 75 years old.
DEATHS
18 deaths have been confirmed in 15 states: Alabama, California (2), Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas (2), Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon (2), and Virginia. The median age of patients who have died in 50 years, ranging from 27 to 71 years old. “The increasing number of lung injury cases we see associated with e-cigarette use or vaping is deeply concerning. Unfortunately, this may be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the escalating health threat this outbreak poses to the American public, particularly youth and young adults. CDC will continue to work with FDA and state health partners to investigate the cause, or causes, of this outbreak and to bring an end to these lung injuries.” – Dr. Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention