Second vape-related disease confirmed in Colorado – CBS Denver

DENVER (CBS4) – A second case of vaping-related illness has been confirmed in Colorado. US Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and state health officials held a press conference on Thursday morning about the state's investigation into a recent outbreak of vaping-related illness.

Dr. Tony Cappello, Colorado Department of Health, said both cases in our state involved young adults and both were in the metropolitan area.

Cappello said more than 200 suspected cases have been reported in 22 states, many involving teenagers and young adults. Some patients have compared the onset of the disease to a heart attack and others to the flu. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, vomiting, coughing and possible fever. Doctors say the illness resembles an inhalation injury, the body apparently reacting to a caustic substance that someone has breathed.

Colorado's first case was confirmed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment last week.

Colorado has the highest teenage vape rate in the country. A recent CDC poll showed that more than 25 percent of Colorado teens use e-cigarettes, double the national average.

Illinois reported the first death in the country related to vaping.

"Although the exact cause of vaping-related illnesses remains unknown, doctors who have treated patients believe that this could be related to the liquid used in all electronic cigarettes, called vape juice," Degette's office said in a statement. a statement. declaration. "All electronic cigarettes contain a heating element that produces an aerosol from a liquid that users inhale. The type of fluid and the companies that produce it vary widely and doctors suspect that something new added to the inhaled liquid – be it for flavoring or for any other reason – could be the cause of the recent outbreak of cases through the country. country."

"If approved, the legislation introduced by DeGette earlier this year would ban the sale of flavored nicotine products in the United States unless the companies that manufacture them can prove they are safe. A separate bill that she introduced this year would raise the minimum age 18 to 21 to buy such products, "said Degette's office.

National Jewish Health operates Colorado Quitline. If you would like help quitting, visit coquitline.org.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved Associated Press contributed to this report.)