An individual who used a vape and was later hospitalised with severe respiratory illness, has died. Making them the first person known to die from an illness causes by vaping.
It comes after the CDC launched an investigation earlier this month following reports of a mysterious lung disease affecting almost 100 people this summer across more than a dozen US states. No further information has been provided about the individual who has died, other than that they were an adult living in Illinois.
“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,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike in a statement. “We requested a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help us investigate these cases and they arrived in Illinois on Tuesday.”
The person hasn’t been publicly identified.
State and federal health officials, along with the US Food and Drug Administration, say that they are now investigating the names and types of products and devices used, as well as where they were purchased. No specific product has been identified, though many patients with the “mystery lung disease” reported to having used products with THC in them. It is not clear if these cases have a common cause or if they are different diseases with similar symptoms.
“Experts advise that if you experience any type of chest pain or difficulty breathing in the weeks following the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products, seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, medical professionals should be aware of their patients’ recent history of using such products.”
