US health officials have announced the first death of a patient because of a vaping related illness.
The patient developed a severe respiratory disease after using e-cigarettes. His age hasn’t been revealed.
The chief medical officer and state epidemiologist, Dr. Jennifer Layden, said the patient was rushed to hospital with an ‘unexplained illness after reported vaping or e-cigarette use.’
“We are saddened to hear of the first death related to the outbreak of severe lung disease in those who use e-cigarette or ‘vaping’ devices,” said Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in a statement.
“This tragic death in Illinois reinforces the serious risks associated with e-cigarette products,” he added.
Authorities in the US are now investigating a ‘mysterious lung disease’ spreading throughout the country, BBC reported.
The CDC and Prevention have said there are ‘193 potential cases’ across 22 states since June.
In Illinois alone, there have been more than 20 reported cases of ‘respiratory illness after using e-cigarettes in vaping.’ The alarming number prompted officials to warn people about the dangers of vaping.
The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Ngozi Ezike, said: “The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous.”
According to experts, many of the cases involve vaping THC, a compound in cannabis.
The CDC and Prevention’s head of non-infectious diseases, Dr. Ileana Arias, said: “In many cases, patients have acknowledged recent use of THC-containing product.”
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