Health Alert: Vaping Linked to Severe Lung Diseas

Contact: Lieske Giese, RN, MSPH Director/Health Officer 715-839-4718, 715-514-7881 (cell) Elizabeth.Giese@co.eau-claire.wi.us

 Eau Claire, WI- September 10, 2019-

The Eau Claire City County Health Department is urging residents to stop using any vaping and/or e-cigarette devices immediately. If you’ve never vaped or used e-cigarette devices, don’t start.

As of September 5, there are 34 confirmed cases of Wisconsin residents hospitalized for severe lung disease and damage from vaping. Most of the affected people are adolescents and young adults. Nationally, over 450 possible cases are being investigated with 5 deaths confirmed. Vaping nicotine products may be harmful because of their unregulated nature. Additional research is needed to know short and long-term impacts of vaping.

"It’s important that parents and educators talk with youth about the dangers of vaping,” says Lieske Giese, Health Officer/Director.

Anyone who has used vaping products and is experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss should talk to a healthcare provider.

• For the latest updates on this disease investigation, visit: dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks.

• For free help to quit smoking and FDA-approved medication, visit: Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW

• To learn more about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping, visit: Tobacco is Changing

• If you are a healthcare provider, see the below recommendations. 1. Talk to patients about the risks of vaping. 2. Ask all patients who report e-cigarette product use within the last 90 days about signs and symptoms of pulmonary illness. 3. Consider all possible causes of illness in patients reporting respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and of e-cigarette product use. Evaluate and treat for other possible causes of illness (e.g., infectious, rheumatologic, neoplastic) as clinically indicated. Consider consultation with specialists (pulmonary, infectious disease, critical care, medical toxicology) as appropriate. 4. Report cases of severe pulmonary disease of unclear etiology and a history of e-cigarette product use within the past 90 days to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at (608) 266-1120 or to Eau Claire City County Health Department at (715) 839-4718. Reporting of cases may help CDC and state health departments determine the cause or causes of these pulmonary illnesses. Click here for Additional CDC Clinical Guidance.

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