SPRINGFIELD (WKOW) — One person has died in Illinois after being hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness after recently vaping,according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
If health officials determine it was connected to vaping, it would be the first in the nation.
As many as 50 people in at least six states have come down with breathing illnesses that may be linked to e-cigarettes or other vaping products.
Wisconsin has hadmultiple cases, including cases inolder adults.
The number of cases of people reported in Illinois who have used e-cigarettes or vaped and have been hospitalized with respiratory symptoms has doubled in the past week.
Affected individuals have experienced respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some also experienced vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital.
“The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We requested a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help us investigate these cases and they arrived in Illinois on Tuesday.”
More at WKOW 27 News