(Information provided by the Mississippi Department of Health)
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has reported two additional identified cases of a vaping-related lung illness in Mississippi, bringing the state’s total to three. All three cases are in individuals between 28 and 33 years of age. Currently, there are no confirmed vaping-related deaths in Mississippi.
Mississippi is part of a national investigation into severe pulmonary disease or lung injury linked to the use of�e-cigarette products (vaping). Nationwide, there have been 530 cases of lung illness reported from 38 states and one U.S. territory. Seven deaths have been reported from six states.
�This is a very serious concern and one that is unfolding every day,� said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. �While we know that many of the cases in the US report vaping�cannabis products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), some have reported only vaping nicotine products. There is still a lot that we don�t know about what is making these people sick. No specific product such as the device, liquid, refill pods or cartridge has been clearly identified as the cause.�
Symptoms of severe pulmonary disease include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. Symptoms develop anywhere from over a few days of use to weeks of using�e-cigarettes.
Until an exact cause of the illness has been determined, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions:
- If you are concerned about the health risks, consider refraining from using e-cigarettes or vaping products.
- If you are an adult who used e-cigarettes containing nicotine to quit cigarette smoking, do not return to smoking cigarettes.
- If you have recently used an e-cigarette or vaping product and you have symptoms like those reported above, see your healthcare provider.
Additionally, Dr. Byers said Mississippians are urged to�not buy products off the street containing THC or other cannabinoids. Do not modify or add substances to e-cigarette products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
For more information on the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping, visit the MSDH website at�HealthyMS.com/lungillness.
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