Oregon health officials are investigating the death of another person who suffered from a mysterious respiratory illness after vaping.
This comes after the State of Illinois launched an investigation last week into the death of an individual who had used an e-cigarette product and was later hospitalised with a severe respiratory illness. Oregon Health Authority investigators say the individual, who died in July, used a vaping device containing cannabis purchased from a cannabis dispensary. Not many other details are available other than over 200 people across 25 states were affected, and many of them were teenagers.
The CEO at Juul even claims that vaping is potentially harmful, and no one knows the “long term effects.”
“We don’t yet know the exact cause of these illnesses… whether they’re caused by contaminants, ingredients in the liquid or something else, such as the device itself,” said Dr Ann Thomas, public health physician at OHA’s Public Health Division. Before the incident, OHA was warning the public of the health risks linked to vaping products based on a recent report detailing the health risks for products including nicotine addiction, exposure to toxic chemicals, and increases in blood pressure.
The symptoms displayed by the patents reportedly include shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, chest pain, coughing, and weight loss. Local and state authorities are working to determine the names and types of products and devices used, as well as where they were purchased. Though no specific product has yet been identified, many patients reportedly using products that contained THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
“Even though cases appear similar, it is not clear if these cases have a common cause or if they are different diseases with similar presentations, which is why our ongoing investigation is critical,” the CDC said in a statement.
Health professionals are now saying that it’s important to monitor any ongoing symptoms that could be as a result of vaping, and “seek medical attention” if symptoms persist or get worse.
