There’s been one confirmed case of a vaping-related illness in Jefferson County, and another possible case is being investigated, health officials announced today (Sept. 26).
Jaclyn Brown, Jefferson County Health Network Coordinator, said the confirmed case was diagnosed as “vaping-associated pulmonary illness.”
She said the case was confirmed Sept. 12 and the patient is a male between the ages of 15 and 24 years old.
Brown said she did not have information about the patient in the possible case that's being investigated.
The Centers for Disease Control reported today that there have been 805 cases of lung injury related to vaping in 46 states and one U.S. territory. According to reports, 12 deaths related to vaping have been reported in 10 states, including Missouri.
“As previously stated, we encourage Missourians to follow the CDC guidance to refrain from using e-cigarette products if you are concerned about these specific health risks, especially while the investigation is ongoing,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
The DHSS reported that symptoms of vaping-related lung illness include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, weight loss and/or elevated heart rate.
The DHSS and CDC advise anyone who uses vaping products and experiences the symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
Jefferson County Health Department director Kelley Vollmar said she has been worried about the use of vaping products for a long time.
“Since they have emerged, there is no evidence or background history to them that we are able to really show the long-term health impacts on individuals’ bodies, so the research just isn't there to say that they are safe,” she said. “The way that they were marketed and quickly adopted by youth has been scary.”
Vollmar said she is especially concerned about teenagers who have been told vaping is safer than smoking and aren’t aware of the dangers associated with it.
“I really don't think that kids have any clue what is inside the vape,” she said.
DHSS reported Missouri’s first vaping-related death on Sept. 19.
The man who died in Missouri was in this mid-40s and reportedly had normal lung function before he started vaping in May. He died at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, the agency reported.