Vape-Related Deaths in the U.S. Continues to Rise

Vape-related deaths are on the rise in some parts of the United States. On Thursday, several health officials reported that 2,051 confirmed and probable cases along with the 2 deaths from a mysterious respiratory illnesses related to vaping has been recorded. This is the 39th vape-related death cases recorded in the U.S.

Reuters reports that as of November 5, there are 39 deaths that were confirmed in the 24 states and in the District of Columbia. Investigators said that they cannot establish the cases to any specific product or compound but they pointed vaping oils containing THC which is a psychoactive ingredient in marijuana which is very risky.

In the developing report from healthline, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed that lung injuries and deaths linked to the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products are on the rise. The principal deputy director of CDC, Dr. Anne Schuchat told the reporters in a conference that this is the first time that they have detected a potential toxin in Vitamin E acetate.

However, she also mentioned that this investigation is still developing and ongoing. Her investigation is coming from the results of 29 samples who are using e-cigarettes and are associated with lung injury or vaping products that contained vitamin E acetate.

Schuchat said in the previous report that when vitamin E is inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung function. Moreover, she said that she is no longer surprised with the rise of the cases and added that some states are currently conducting an investigation in relation with the vape-related deaths.

The CDC confirmed in November 7 a total of 2,051 vaping related injuries and 39 deaths. Deaths have been confirmed in the 24 states except in the states of Alaska along with the district of Columbia and one U.S. territory

People who are affected in the said illnesses are coming from persons aged 13-75 and this is commonly observed with male e-cigarette users. 79 percent are under the age of 35 and the average age of those who have died is 44. Meanwhile, the CDC has expanded its investigation by including in the laboratory test the lung fuid, blood, urine test as well as biopsy and autopsy to confirm the relation of vitamin E acetate as the main substance in the rising vape-related cases.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works also with the CDC in different states and health providers to investigate the outbreak. It can be remembered that in October, the CDC released its guidelines to the clinicians in diagnosing, managing, and following-up the vape-related cases. They also recommend that doctors should consider testing all patients suspected with EVALI and Influenza virus during flu season as part of the precautionary measures.

They released the guidance since the symptoms of EVALI are similar to flu and other respiratory illnesses including cough, shortness of breathing, chest pain, fever, and hazy spots in their x-ray results. However, the chairperson of the pediatrics at Norwalk Hospital said that it is very difficult to determine the difference between a pneumonia and vape-related injuries.

Statistically, 1 out of 4 students high school students is using e-cigarette. This data is based from the study conducted by the CDC on the large amounts of the e-cigarette found in the garbage of several high schools in San Francisco bay. Research shows that flavored e-cigarettes are very popular among the youth. The most common flavored cigarettes are menthol and mint.

The rise of high school e-cigarette users is very alarming. It is then very important that parents should set a good example to their children to avoid loss of life due to the effects of e-cigarette.

Read more: CDC Says Vitamin E May Be Behind Deadly Lung Disease Linked to Vaping and U.S. vaping-related deaths climb to 39, illnesses to 2,051