CDC Releases New Data on Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping

From the Center for Disease Control:

The latest findings from the investigation into lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, suggest THC products play a role in the outbreak. Most of the people (77%) in this outbreak reported using THC-containing products, or both THC-containing products and nicotine-containing products, according to a report published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Though the investigation is ongoing and the cause remains unknown at this time, today’s report provides the first national comprehensive data on the characteristics of cases reported to CDC, including sex, age, and select substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping products. A second MMWR released today from Wisconsin and Illinois had similar findings regarding THC use and contains more details on the characteristics of cases in those states, including demographics, as well as substances and product types used.

Based on this recent data, CDC recommends people consider refraining from use of e-cigarette or vaping products, particularly those containing THC.

According to CDC’s national-level report, data about substances used in e-cigarettes, or vaping, products were self-reported by 514 patients. Of the patients who reported what products they used:

• About 77% reported using THC-containing products, with or without nicotine-containing products; 36% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products; and
• 16% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

In addition, the report from Illinois and Wisconsin showed that nearly all THC-containing products reported were packaged, prefilled cartridges that were primarily acquired from informal sources such as friends, family members, illicit dealers, or off the street.

As of September 24, 2019, 805 confirmed and probable cases of lung injury associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping, have been reported to CDC by 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those cases included 12 deaths in 10 states (CA (2), GA, FL, IL, IN, KS (2), MN, MO, MS, OR). More than two-thirds of patients are male. The median age of cases is 23 years, with about 62 % of patients aged 18-34 years, according to the new report.

Resources

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Fact Sheet, Graphics

MMWR Articles

Characteristics of a Multistate Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-cigarette Use, or Vaping — United States, 2019

E-cigarette Product Use, or Vaping, Among Persons with Associated Lung Injury — Illinois and Wisconsin, April–September 2019

Filed under: Data Files, News