Warning: CDC Sees Outbreak Of Vaping-Related Diseases In NC

NORTH CAROLINA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multistate outbreak of severe lung diseases related to e-cigarette products and has this warning, for now, as a bottom line: “While this investigation is ongoing, consider not using e-cigarette products.”

As of early September, upward of 450 cases of lung illnesses reported to the CDC are suspected of being related to e-cigarettes in 33 different states — including North Carolina — and one U.S. territory.

Puffing a cloud of smoke from an e-cig suddenly isn’t so cool, if it ever was.

Out of the hundreds of reported cases, North Carolina is accountable for 28 cases, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. While state health officials said that no one has died, most of the cases have required hospitalization and respiratory support.

The investigation has not identified any one substance or e-cigarette product that is directly linked to all cases, and there is also no evidence the diseases are infectious, which means the illnesses are most likely associated with chemical exposure, according to the CDC.

The health protection agency provides recommendations for the public to best avoid any e-cigarette related disease.

• Consider not using the products while the investigation is ongoing.
• Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette products.
• Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products.
• Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette products.
• If you do use e-cigarette products, you should not buy these products off the street.

Here are symptoms being investigated:

• Patients in this investigation have reported symptoms such as:
• cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• fatigue, fever, or weight loss
• Some patients have reported that their symptoms developed over a few days, while others have reported that their symptoms developed over several weeks. A pulmonary infection does not appear to be causing the symptoms, which have generally not improved with antibiotic treatment alone.