One person dead after experiencing vaping-related lung illness, health officials say

An Illinois resident who developed a severe respiratory illness after vaping has died, state health officials said Friday. 

Federal health officials are also investigating 193 potential cases of respiratory illnesses related to vaping or using e-cigarettes in 22 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday it has not identified a cause, but many of the cases have involved the use of products containing THC, a key ingredient in marijuana. 

{mosads}The CDC also has not identified a specific product or manufacturer and said it is still early in its investigations.

“Even though cases appear similar, it’s not clear if they have a common cause,” said Ileana Arias, acting deputy director for noninfectious diseases for the CDC.

But available evidence doesn’t suggest an infectious disease is to blame, Arias told reporters Friday. 

Those who have reported severe lung illnesses after vaping have experienced difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain before hospitalization. 

Many of those effected are minors and young adults, she said.

E-cigarette companies have been under fire lately as health authorities struggle to deal with what they have called an epidemic of vaping among young people.