'Stop Vaping Immediately,' Milwaukee Health Officials Warn

MILWAUKEE, WI — Citing health concerns, public health officials in Milwaukee are urging the public to stop using vape devices, including e-cigarettes immediately.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department says that 16 people have been hospitalized with chemical pneumonia as of Aug. 28.

Chemical pneumonia is described as an "unusual type of lung irritation," in which lung tissue is inflamed due to poisons or toxins. Symptoms vary, though many with chemical pneumonia often experience painful breathing, flu-like symptoms, nausea, and cough producing blood.

Health officials said each of the 16 patients reported using vape devices — including marijuana oils, extracts or concentrates — in the weeks and months prior to hospitalization.

The 16 cases were reported in Dodge, Door, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Portage, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties, the Milwaukee Health Department said in a release Thursday.

"We continue to learn more about the health effects associated with e-cigarettes. As the public health authority for the city, the Milwaukee Health Department is committed to protecting the public from the dangers of second-hand exposure," Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Jeanette Kowalik said.

Teen Vaping "Skyrocketing" In Wisconsin

In January, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued an advisory warning that vaping among teens has "skyrocketed" in the state.

E-cigarette use among Wisconsin high school students increased 154 percent between 2014 and 2018, according to the advisory, and one of every five high school students — or 20 percent — uses e-cigarettes. Eighty-nine percent of high-schoolers said they wouldn't try tobacco products that weren't flavored.

"The e-cigarette aerosol that users inhale and exhale can expose both the user and those around the user to other harmful substances including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs," health officials warned in the advisory.

Wisconsin Teens Hospitalized

In July, Wisconsin health officials reported that eight teenagers were hospitalized with seriously damaged lungs that month at Children's Hospital. Each of the cases involves vaping, officials said.

"While an exact cause is unknown, the number of patients in such a short time frame is concerning," Children's Hospitals officials said at the time. "With the increase in use of e-cigarettes and vaping, parents and teens need to be aware of the potential danger."

Officials say the symptoms that led to hospitalization include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, cough and weight loss. The severity of health condition has varied, with some patients needing assistance in order to breathe.