CT DPH Press Release: Two Additional Cases of Severe Lung Injury Related to Vaping

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September 19, 2019

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS TWO ADDITIONAL CASES OF SEVERE LUNG INJURY RELATED TO VAPING, FOR A TOTAL OF 13 CASES; ONE PERSON CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED CONSUMERS SHOULD AVOID BUYING VAPING PRODUCTS OFF THE STREET OR FROM ANOTHER PERSON, INCLUDING A FRIEND

Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today is reporting that it has learned of two more Connecticut residents who have been hospitalized for severe lung injury possibly related to using e-cigarettes or vaping, bringing the total to 13 cases that have been reported to DPH. Twelve of the 13 patients have now been discharged from hospitals. The 13 cases involve residents from four of our counties: Fairfield (7), New Haven (3), New London (1), Tolland (1), and Windham (1).

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is participating in the national investigation of vaping-related lung illnesses that is being led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, DPH has interviewed 9 of the 13 patients with vaping-related lung injury. All nine reporting using vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component of the marijuana plant. These products were purchased from another person (6 cases), bought from a dispensary (1 case), purchased but not from a dispensary (1 case), and given product by another person (1 case). Three of the nine reported using e-cigarette products containing nicotine, in addition to products containing THC.

“I am asking Connecticut residents to consider not using e-cigarette or vaping products while the investigation is ongoing and the search for the exact causes of these lung illnesses continues,” said DPH Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell. “If you chose to continue vaping, you should avoid buying vaping products off the street or from another person, including a friend.”

As of September 17, 2019, 530 cases of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Until more is known about the exact cause or causes of these illnesses:

• Anyone who uses an e-cigarette or vaping product should not buy these products (e.g., e-cigarette or vaping products with THC, other cannabinoids) off the street, and should not modify or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
• Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette or vaping products.
• Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette or vaping products.
• Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette or vaping products.

More information about the investigation can be found on CDC’s webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html#latest-outbreak-information