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State health officials offer update on vaping-related illnesses in Delaware

James Dawson
/
Delaware Public Media

Delaware’s Division of Public Health says it continues to play its part in a national investigation into what’s causing an outbreak of pulmonary diseases linked to e-cigarette use.

Delaware is among 38 states to report a case of vaping-related lung illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated six reported First State cases as having a “probable” connection to the use of e-cigs. No cases in Delaware have a confirmed connection.

Patient ages in the state’s probable cases range from 15 to 45. Five are New Castle County residents, and one is from Kent County.  Four are men and two are women.

Some reported using e-cigarette products containing THC and some report using products containing nicotine.

As of last week, the CDC reports 530 probable or confirmed cases of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products nationwide -- with nine related deaths as of Sept. 19.

Delaware public health officials encourage people to not use vaping products as the investigation continues.

According to the CDC, no evidence of infectious diseases has been identified in the patients, making chemical exposure the likely cause of the lung illnesses.

 

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