US health officials have launched a nationwide collaborative investigation into potentially tainted and harmful e-cigarette products in the wake of at least one death and hundreds of mysterious lung infections in dozens of states possibly associated with vaping.
A joint statement released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that as of August 27, at least 215 cases of mysterious lung disease from 25 states have been linked to the use of e-cigarettes. At least one person has died from severe respiratory illness following the use of an e-cigarette product.
“We were deeply saddened last week to learn of the death of an adult in Illinois who had been hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness following the use of an e-cigarette product,” wrote the agencies. “We are working closely with state and local health officials to investigate these incidents as quickly as possible, and we are committed to taking appropriate actions as a clearer picture of the facts emerges.”
No one product has been linked to the illnesses, which is described as a “gradual start of symptoms, including breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, and/or chest pain.” More information is needed do understand links between the illnesses and products. At this time, authorities say there does not appear to be one product involved although tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoids have been linked to several cases.
Kurgen