Latest Outbreak Information
0 About 58% reported using nicotine-containing products; 10% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
What CDC is Doing?
- As of October 15, 2019, 1,479* lung injury cases associated with-cigarette use, or vaping, have been reported to CDC from the District of Columbia, 1 U.S. territory (USVI), and 49 states (all except Alaska).
- Thirty-three deaths have been confirmed in 24 states: Alabama, California (3), Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois, Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. More deaths are under investigation.
- The median age of deceased patients was 44 years and ranged from 17 to 75 years.
- Among 1,358 patients with data on age and sex:
- 70% of patients are male.
- The median age of patients is 23 years and ages range from 13 to 75 years.
- By age group category:
- 15% of patients are under 18 years old;
- 21% of patients are 18 to 20 years old;
- 18% of patients are 21 to 24 years old;
- 25% of patients are 25 to 34 years old; and
- 21% of patients are 35 years or older.
- To date, national and state data suggest that products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources (e.g., friends, family members, or illicit dealers), are linked to most of the cases and play a major role in the outbreak.
- All patients have a reported history of e-cigarette product use, or vaping, and no consistent evidence of an infectious cause has been discovered. Therefore, the suspected cause is exposure to a chemical or chemicals.
- The specific chemical exposure(s} causing lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, remains unknown at this time.
- Among 849 patients with information on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 3 months prior to symptom onset**:
0 About 58% reported using nicotine-containing products; 10% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
- This complex investigation spans almost all states, involves over a thousand patients, and involves a wide variety of brands and substances and e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Case counts continue to increase and new cases are being reported, which makes it more difficult to determine the cause or causes of this outbreak.
What CDC is Doing?
- CDC is working 24/7 to identify the cause or causes of this outbreak through partnerships with states and other federal agencies.
- CDC has activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate activities and provide assistance to states, public health partners and clinicians around the nation.
- CDC's Lung Injury response efforts are committed to:
- Identify and define the risk factors and the source for lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping.
- Detect and track confirmed and probable cases in the US.
- Communicate actionable recommendations to state, local, and clinical audiences.
- Establish lab procedures that can assist with the public heath investigation and patient care.