Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Federal Public Health Agencies Remain Fairly Quiet As Vaping Cases Continue To Climb Across At Least 22 States
USA Today: Vaping Lung Injuries: People Use E-Cigarettes For THC, Marijuana Oil
Federal health officials are under fire for their unclear public warnings after one death and nearly 200 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses, which some say are related to the far riskier practice of vaping marijuana oil rather than nicotine. Some state health department and news reports suggest many of the cases of lung problems involve tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects. (O'Donnell and Alltucker, 8/28)
The Washington Post: Maryland, Virginia Among 22 States Reporting Incidents Of Vaping-Related Illness
Maryland and Virginia are among 22 states that are reporting cases of vaping-related illness. At least one death has been reported, in Illinois. Maryland announced Wednesday that the Department of Health and the Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy have identified five individuals who have developed severe lung illness after using e-cigarettes. All required hospitalization, according to a news release. (Demkovich, 8/28)
The Baltimore Sun: Five Hospitalized For Possible Vaping-Related Illness In Maryland
Five people in Maryland have been hospitalized in the past two months with severe lung illnesses after using e-cigarettes, joining almost 200 nationally who became sick and one who has died in Illinois. The Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy reported the illnesses in four adults and one minor, according to a news release. They continue to investigate the cause of the illnesses in people using the electronic devices, known as vaping. (Cohn, 8/28)
Detroit Free Press: Michigan Investigates Illness, Lung Infections Possibly Tied To Vaping
They're showing up in emergency rooms around the country complaining of shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. One thing they all have in common: They used e-cigarettes, and health officials suspect that vaping made them sick. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports it is investigating six cases of e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung infections — part of a national wave of 203 possible cases associated with e-cigarette use in 23 states. (Shamus, 8/28)
Des Moines Register: Vaping-Related Illnesses In Iowa Tied To THC Prompt More Questions About E-Cigarettes' Safety
Three of the four young Iowans who experienced respiratory illnesses after using e-cigarettes said they used vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a chemical in marijuana, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Health officials reported more than 190 cases of severe respiratory illness among American teenagers and young adults who had vaped, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their symptoms, reported over the summer, include cough, fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting and diarrhea, chest pain and difficulty breathing. (Fleig, 8/28)
LoHud: 14 New Cases Of Vaping-Related Lung Illness Hit New York, THC Probed
Another 14 cases of vaping-related illness have been reported in New York since state health officials earlier this month first warned that 11 people using vaping devices had to be hospitalized. The new tally of 25 cases in New York comes after the first vaping-linked death was suspected in Illinois and nearly 200 vaping-related lung diseases are being investigated across the country. (Robinson, 8/28)
Boston Globe: Mass. Health Care Professionals Told To Look Out For Cases Of Severe Lung Illness Associated With Vaping
Massachusetts officials are instructing health care professionals to look out for respiratory illnesses that might be related to vaping, after nearly 200 cases of mysterious lung illnesses have surfaced across the country. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified some 25,000 doctors, nurses, and physician assistants Tuesday to watch for respiratory illnesses in patients who said they use e-cigarettes or vaporizers of any kind — and report those cases to the state. (Gans, 8/28)
The Hill: Milwaukee Issues Health Alert On Vaping
Milwaukee is urging residents to stop vaping after multiple teenagers have been reportedly hospitalized for lung damage related to the e-cigarette devices. The city issued a health alert regarding vaping on Wednesday, USA Today reports. (Klar, 8/28)
Ottawa Citizen: E-Cigarettes: Canada’s Health Officials Watching Lung Problems In The US
News that nearly 200 cases of severe lung disease in the U.S. might be linked to vaping has health officials in Ottawa and across the country on alert. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are monitoring the U.S. situation and working with U.S. officials but have not seen any evidence of similar pulmonary illness clusters in Canada related to e-cigarettes. The Public Health Agency of Canada has alerted provincial and territorial health officials and asked them to report any possible incidents. (Payne, 8/28)
