Update of lung injuries associated with use of e-cigarette or vaping products
As of October 15, 2019, 1,479 confirmed and probable lung injury cases associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping products were reported by 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Among 849 patients with information on substances used in e-cigarette or vaping products in the three months prior to symptom onset:
· 78% reported using THC-containing products, with or without nicotine-containing products;
· 31% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products;
· 58% reported using nicotine-containing products, with or without THC-containing products; and
· 10% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
The median age of patients who have died is 44 years, ranging from 17 to 75 years old. Among 1,358 patients with data on age and sex:
· 70% of patients are male; and
· 79% of patients are under 35 years old.
· The median age of patients is 23 years, and ages range from 13 to 75 years old.
Thirty-three deaths have been confirmed in 24 states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
In addition, CDC is now:
· Performing additional laboratory testing.
· Validating targeted methods to test chemicals in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, blood, or urine and has received initial samples for testing.
· Testing pathologic specimens, including lung biopsy or autopsy specimens, associated with patients.
· Validating methods for aerosol emission testing of case-associated product samples from e-cigarette, or vaping, products and e-liquids. Initial data from product sample testing has guided the need for these additional assays.
Results may provide insight into the nature of the chemical exposure(s) contributing to this outbreak.
