#14,447
In late August the CDC announced an investigation into unexplained acute pulmonary illnesses being reported in dozens of people using e-cigarettes (see CDC Clinical Action: Unexplained Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Illness).
Since then, we've followed a series of CDC announcements and guidance to the medical community designed to quantify the size and scope of this illness. Including:
CDC COCA Call - Severe Lung Illness Associated with Using E-Cigarette ProductsYesterday afternoon the CDC held a telebriefing on the ongoing investigation (Transcript Here), updated their outbreak surveillance numbers, and published several papers in yesterday's MMWR.
CDC MMWR Early Release: Acute Lung Injury LInked To Vaping
CDC : Outbreak Investigation & Telebriefing On Pulmonary Disease Linked To Vaping
First, some excerpts from yesterday's update, followed by links to the new MMWR reports.
Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping
Posted October 3, 2019 at 4:00pm ET
CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
What we know
- As of October 1, 2019, 1,080* lung injury cases associated with using e-cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported to CDC from 48 states and 1 U.S. territory.
- Eighteen deaths have been confirmed in 15 states.
- All patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
- Most patients report a history of using THC-containing products. The latest national and regional findings suggest products containing THC play a role in the outbreak.
- Approximately 70% of patients are male.
- Approximately 80% of patients are under 35 years old.
- 16% of patients are under 18 years old
- 21% of patients are 18 to 20 years old
What we don’t know(Continue . . . )
- The specific chemical exposure(s) causing lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, remains unknown at this time.
- No single product or substance has been linked to all lung injury cases.
- The outbreak is occurring in the context of a dynamic marketplace for e-cigarette, or vaping, products, which may have a mix of ingredients, complex packaging and supply chains, and include potentially illicit substances.
- Users may not know what is in their e-cigarette or e-liquid solutions. Many of the products and substances can be modified by suppliers or users. They can be obtained from stores, online retailers, from informal sources (e.g. friends, family members), or “off the street.”
- More information is needed to know whether one or more e-cigarette or vaping products, substances, or brands is responsible for the outbreak.
