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Officials from Florida and Georgia have reported their vaping-related deaths for the first time. This brings the total U.S. deaths from a lung disease that presents as a rare form of pneumonia to 11.
Currently, Georgia is investigating nine cases, including that of a deceased patient. The majority of the patients are men ranging in age from 18 to 68, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. They have 27 cases as of Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2019.
Last week, the CDC reported that 530 people have become ill from the mysterious lung disease and hundreds more have been reported in the past few days. Kansas reported its second vaping-related death on Monday. The CDC relayed this information to lawmakers during a hearing on Tuesday.
Health official have linked the disease to vaping, however, they have not been able to determine the exact c
Patients are reluctant to reveal that use a vape, especially with THC. Vaping THC is still illegal in many states.
People use a variety of vaping products and no one brand or manufacturer has been linked to the lung disease.
State and federal officials have been working to remove flavored vaping pods from the shelves. There has been an alarming spike in teenage use. On Tuesday, Massachusetts imposed a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products, including legal THC cartridges.
India has blocked all sales on e-cigarettes, and China has tightened its restrictions on the products.
The CDC and FDA are recommending that all Americans avoid vaping products.
Here are the common symptoms doctors have identified that worsen over time:
- coughing
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- chest pains
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
The CDC and FDA are suggesting that anyone who has a history of vaping and any of these symptoms report to a doctor as soon as possible.
By Jeanette Smith
Sources:
CNBC: Death toll climbs from vaping illnesses as Florida, Georgia report new fatalities
The Independent: Vaping death toll rises to 11 after officials report ‘hundreds’ of new cases
WXII 12: Cone Health reports its first vaping-related death
Image Courtesy of Vaping360’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License