Health Officials Confirm Vaping Likely Caused Illnesses In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — State health officials have confirmed three cases of severe pulmonary illness were likely caused by vaping. Eleven additional reports of serious lung-based sickness are being investigated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

An alert was sent to Ohio healthcare providers on August 23 telling doctors to report all suspected cases of serious pulmonary illness (lung-based sickness) where the cause of the sickness is unclear. Ohio's three confirmed cases likely linked to vaping were reported in Lucas, Richland and Union counties.

The ailing Ohioans range in age from 18 to 26 years old and include two women and one man. All three people were hospitalized.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating more than 200 cases of pulmonary illness, nationwide, that may be linked to vaping. The CDC has issued a series of recommendations to the public while the investigation into the illnesses is ongoing:

• Everyone should refrain from using e-cigarette or vaping products if they are concerned about health risks
• Regardless of the investigation's status, young people, pregnant women and adults who don't usually use tobacco products should avoid using e-cigarettes and vaping products
• Vaping products should not be purchased off the street. All purchases should be made at recognizable stores.
• Vaping products and e-cigarettes should not be altered to add substances to the device
• E-cigarette users should keep a close eye on their own health and should seek medical attention if they have concerns

"We are seeing a tremendous increase in vaping among our youth, which is a public health crisis," said ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton last month. "There is a perception that vaping is safe, and these reports of serious pulmonary illness linked to e-cigarette or vaping product use show that this is simply not true."

The CDC said symptoms of this mysterious pulmonary illness have included coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue. In some cases, symptoms have gotten worse over time and patients have experienced fever, diarrhea, chest pain, weight loss and nausea.

In July 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine raised the age for purchasing tobacco to 21. In Ohio, about 19.5 percent of high schoolers said they used tobacco, including e-cigarettes.