CDC: Vaping-Related Lung Damage Is Ongoing Epidemic

Cases of serious lung injury apparently associated with e-cigarettes continue to climb rapidly across the nation and in Wisconsin.

There are now 530 confirmed and probable cases in the U.S., according to federal health officials. Wisconsin reports that as of Thursday, there are 48 people with lung damage, which is up from 35 cases last week.

Federal officials described it as a challenging “ongoing outbreak” because it involves so many states — 38 — and officials don’t have a brand or substance that they believe might be causing the ailment.

Seven people have died so far. Officials have implored those who use e-cigarettes to take their warnings about vaping seriously — consider not using them at all and don’t buy products off the street.

“The e-cigarette or vaping-related lung injuries we’ve been describing are serious. People are dying,” said Anne Schuchat, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deputy director, during a Thursday call with reporters.

The CDC opened up its Emergency Operations Center earlier this week and on Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was activating its law enforcement arm, the Office of Criminal Investigation to address the crisis.

“OCI has special investigative skills and the focus of their work is to identify what is making people sick as well as the supply chain,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. “Let me be clear: OCI is not pursuing any prosecutions associated with personal use of any controlled substances in these cases.”

Last week, Kenosha County authorities arrested two brothers for allegedly making and selling illegal vaping cartridges containing THC oil. Charges against them were filed on Sept. 16.

Federal officials are currently analyzing 150 vaping samples from across the country for THC, opioids, cutting agents, pesticides and toxins along with nicotine.

“We are leaving no stone unturned and are following all potential leads regarding any particular product or compound that may be at issue,” said Zeller.