People should stay away from vaping devices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Friday.
What We Know:
- The CDC is currently investigating the cause of vaping-related illnesses that have occurred across the country in recent weeks. CDC officials are aware of 450 confirmed or suspected cases in 33 states.
“While this investigation is ongoing, people should consider not using e-cigarette products. People who do use e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms,” the CDC wrote in a news release.
- The announcement comes on the same day that Indiana health officials confirmed the state’s first death from a vaping-related respiratory illness, bringing the national toll to three, after two deaths in Illinois and Oregon. The person who died in Indiana was an adult, but officials gave no other details, citing privacy laws. There’s also no indication of what the person may have been vaping.
- The CDC also said that it’s investigating a fourth death, but declined to say where. Investigators have not been able to pinpoint a brand, substance or ingredient behind the illnesses, but many suspect that various oils in vapes may play a role.
- The NYPost reported, The New York State Health Department on Thursday reported 34 cases of “severe pulmonary illness” from patients who used at least one cannabis-infused vape products. But these patients also used a range of products and devices. The lab test results showed high levels of vitamin E acetate in nearly of off the cannabis-containing samples. Vitamin E acetate is used to synthesize the vape fluid.
The CDC urges people to avoid vaping amid the outbreak.
