CREDIT: CDC

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting the death of an individual who had recently vaped and was hospitalized with severe respiratory illness.

Authorities have not released the exact circumstances surrounding the death, the person’s identity or location, but state officials did confirm that one or more cases have been reported in Kane County.

In fact, the number of cases of people reported to IDPH who have used e-cigarettes or vaped and have been hospitalized with respiratory symptoms has doubled in the past week.

A total of 22 people, ranging in age from 17 to 38 years, have experienced respiratory illness after using e-cigarettes or vaping.

In addition to Kane, cases have been confirmed in Chicago and Champaign, Cook, DuPage, Lake, Madison, McHenry, Peoria, St. Clair, and Will counties.

IDPH is working with local health departments to investigate another 12 individuals.

Affected individuals have experienced respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital.

“The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We requested a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help us investigate these cases and they arrived in Illinois on Tuesday.”

IDPH is also working with local health departments, other state health departments, and the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the names and types of e-cigarettes, vaping products, and devices, as well as where they were obtained.

According to the CDC, in many cases, including Illinois, patients have acknowledged to health care personnel recent use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products.

However, no specific product has been identified in all cases, nor has any product been conclusively linked to illnesses.  Even though cases appear similar, it is not clear if these cases have a common cause or if they are different diseases with similar symptoms.

People who experience any type of chest pain or difficulty breathing after using e-cigarettes or vaping in the weeks or months prior to these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Health care providers caring for patients with unexpected serious respiratory illness should ask about a history of vaping or e-cigarette use.

More information about e-cigarettes, vapes, and JUULs can be found on the IDPH website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/tobacco/e-cigarettes-and-vapes.

SOURCE: IDPH news release