There are now 153 possible cases of severe lung illness associated with e-cigarette use in 16 states between June and August 2019, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The states include California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
Investigators have still not determined what is causing the illnesses, but all of the victims reported using products with nicotine and/or cannabis (THC).
No single product or device is common among the cases, the CDC said. It also was not clear if a contaminant in a used cartridge or a home-brewed concoction of vaping liquids could be causing the illnesses.
In many cases, patients reported a gradual start of symptoms, such as breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, or chest pain before they were hospitalized. A few patients also had fatigue, as well as mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.
Some of the victims are expected to have permanent lung damage as a result of developing a severe, progressive lung disease. Other victims required days of mechanical breathing assistance with a ventilator.
Source: Vaping Sicknesses Rising: 153 Cases Reported in 16 States