WATERTOWN, NY – An increasing number of cases of severe lung disease continue to be reported in the State of New York (NYS) among patients who have reported recent use of vaping products. To date, 81 patients have been reported in all NYS regions. Reports are investigated through interviews and medical examinations.

Nationally, 530 confirmed and probable cases of lung injury have been reported in 38 states and one US jurisdiction. In addition, 7 deaths were confirmed in 6 states.

In the NYS, patients were aged 14 to 69 years. Case interviews have shown that patients report using a wide variety of anti-vaping products. The vast majority of patients reported using both nicotine and cannabis-containing products, including marijuana, THC, and CBD (76%), while some reported using only products containing cannabis (20%) and a few reported using only products containing nicotine (4%). A wide range of brand names and packaging descriptions have been reported and tests conducted at the Wadsworth Center have revealed that products in the same package often contain different chemical components. Although vitamin E acetate has been highly correlated with many cases, no definitive cause has yet been identified.

Since the weekend, 3 cases of Jefferson County have been reported to the Poison Control Center of upstate New York State.

Emergency departments of hospitals, emergency care providers and primary health care providers in Jefferson County are currently actively screening patients with symptoms of possible serious lung disease.

NYSDOH has advised Jefferson County clinicians to Report any suspected cases of serious lung disease potentially associated with evaporation products at the Northeastern New York State Poison Control Center in Syracuse.

sYMPTOMS are mainly respiratory and gastrointestinal and include:

  • Cough

  • Chestitic chest pain

  • breathlessness

  • Headache

  • Fever

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Tired

  • Weightloss

All patients with symptoms who use electronic cigarettes and sprays are encouraged to contact your health care provider for further evaluation..

Public Education

No smoking or vaping is safe.

The Jefferson County Public Health Department urges all residents stop using the e-cigarette and vape products while the investigation into the definitive cause of nationally reported vaping-related diseases can be better determined. Although the ministry knows that some people substitute electronic cigarettes for traditional cigarettes / fuels, we strongly recommend that people NOT start smoking cigarettes again.

Electronic cigarettes are not safe for young people, young adults, pregnant women or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. Although the negative consequences of traditional tobacco / fuel on health are well established by decades of research and clinical practice, the long-term effects of e-cigarette use are unknown. There is evidence that adult smokers who completely replace vaping with traditional tobacco smoking reduce their exposure to many of the toxic and carcinogenic chemicals found in combustible / traditional tobacco cigarettes, but electronic cigarettes are not without risk and are not approved by the United States. Administration (FDA) as a help to stop smoking. At the end of the day, smoking and vaping are not safe, and people who do not smoke and do not smoke should not start smoking.

Individuals wishing to quit smoking and / or short of breath should call the NYS Smokers Departure Line at 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487) or log online at http://www.youtube.com/watch address www.nysmokefree.com. NYS has also set up a Vaping Hotline at (1-888-364-3046). Quitline's services are FREE and confidential. They include expert coaching and support, and can provide additional counseling services, as well as nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) for cigarettes or sprays.

Resources:

From the state of New York:

Telephone Support Line for the State of New York: 1-888-364-3046
Quit Smoking in New York State: 1-866-697-8487

Anti-poison contacts:
New York Regional Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
Poison Control Center of Upstate New York State: http://www.upstate.edu/poison/

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