CDC announces 380 cases of lung disease linked to vaping

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday announced it identified 380 confirmed or probable cases of lung disease that are associated with vaping. 

The announcement of the cases, which span 36 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, came after six people in six different states died from lung diseases linked to e-cigarette use. The deaths were reported in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon.

{mosads}The CDC last week discouraged people from using vaping products as it investigates the slate of lung illnesses.

While patients in a majority of the cases thus far reported using e-cigarette products containing elements of marijuana, including THC, others have contained nicotine. 

“While the investigation is ongoing, the CDC has advised that individuals consider not using e-cigarettes because as of now, this is the primary means of preventing lung disease,” said Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, an incident manager with the CDC. 

“That broad recommendation is because we do have a diversity of products … some containing THC and some containing nicotine,” she said, adding that the illnesses are likely associated with a chemical in the vape liquids, among other possible factors. 

The CDC is currently coordinating a multistate investigation into the cases in conjunction with a task force from the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists and affected states to develop data collection tools and a database to collect relevant patient data. 

It is also collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration to collect information about vaping among patients and to test the substances or chemicals within e-cigarette products.