A vaping-related lung disease has now affected 2,051 people and killed 39, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed, as of7th November 2019.
The disease now has an official name. In early October, the CDC In October, the CDC released new guidance for clinicians on this vaping related condition, confirming its new name as: e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI).
The new release from the CDC provides guidance on the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of vaping related illnesses, including recommending that doctors should consider testing all patients suspected of having EVALI for influenza and other respiratory illnesses during the flu season.
The CDC and Food and Drug Administration are still hunting a definitive cause but it remains clear from data they are collating that THC, the compound in cannabis responsible for cause a high, is use is common in those experiencing EVALI.
According to CDC data, as of October 8, 2019, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and one territorial health department have reported 1,299 cases of EVALI to CDC, with 26 deaths reported from 21 states (median age of death = 49 years, range = 17–75 years). Among 1,043 patients with available data on age and sex, 70% were male, and the median age was 24 years (range = 13–75 years); 80% were aged <35 years, and 15% were aged <18 years. Among 573 patients who reported information on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 90 days preceding symptom onset, 76% reported using THC-containing products, and 58% reported using nicotine-containing products; 32% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products, and 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
People affected by these illnesses range in age from 13 to 75 years old, but 79% are under age 35. The average age of those who have died is 44.
In an attempt to narrow down the cause, the CDC has also expanded its laboratory testing to include lung fluid, blood, and urine samples from patients, as well as lung biopsy and autopsy specimens.The agency continues to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), individual states, and health providers to track and investigate EVALI.
In addition, the agency is testing the vapor of e-cigarette products that have been involved in these cases to look for potentially harmful compounds.
