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Local health officials have confirmed a second case of severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping in King County, while cases of disease are spreading across the country.
A woman in her thirties was admitted to a King County hospital in mid-September with shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, according to a statement released Friday by Public Health – Seattle and King County. The woman has since left the hospital and is recovering.
This is the fifth known case of a patient after using electronic cigarette products in Washington, which declared a statewide outbreak this week. Disease cases have begun to be reported this year and, with more than 500 cases nationwide, health officials are trying to understand what is causing the disease of electronic cigarette users.
"This recent case confirms that the risk of lung injury due to vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes is ongoing in King County," said Jeff Duchin, agency health officer. in his press release. "Electronic cigarettes and vaping are not safe and people should avoid using them until the cause of the outbreak is known."
Health officials in King County are investigating the specific devices and products used by the woman, as well as a teenage girl hospitalized in August.
The woman reported having vapoted THC products purchased in legal pottery workshops and products containing nicotine without THC. Most of those who became ill nationally reported using THC-containing products, but some reported using only nicotine-based products.
Spraying devices, such as electronic cigarettes, heat a liquid often containing nicotine to create an inhaling aerosol. Businesses claim that devices are alternatives to smoking, but their use, especially with flavored products, has increased among teenagers in recent years. In King County, one in four high school seniors reported using an electronic cigarette in the last 90 days, according to Public Health.
Washington lawmakers have raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 years old, which will come into force next year. Last week, President Donald Trump said his administration was planning to ban vaping products with no tobacco aroma, given concerns about health risks and increasing use by teens.
The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday the confirmation of seven deaths due to lung injury related to the use of the electronic cigarette. Health officials in Missouri announced Thursday that an eighth person had died. This week's Washington Post announced that the US Food and Drug Administration's police arm has launched a criminal investigation into the cause of lung damage.
Health officials advise people not to use electronic cigarettes or sprays. But if you do, they will tell you to seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, nausea or fatigue.
Public health investigators confirmed this recent case in King County after a health care provider reported the suspected incident. Health care providers are advised by health care providers to contact the public health unit to report cases of unexplained lung disease in people who have used the e-cigarette or have been vaping within the last 90 days.
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