Vancouver, Wash. – Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed two new cases of severe lung disease linked to vaping in Spokane County. The Spokane Regional Health District reported the new confirmed cases as a patient in their teens and a patient in their twenties.

There are now three confirmed cases in Washington. All three confirmed cases reported vaping prior to illness, but a specific product, device, or additive common to all three has not yet been identified. Investigations into these cases are ongoing.

Vaping devices — also known as JUULs, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, tanks, or electronic nicotine delivery systems — can contain nicotine, marijuana, or other substances like flavoring agents and chemicals. They are not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a quit smoking aid.

In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA launched a multi-state investigation regarding an outbreak of severe lung disease associated with using vaping devices/e-cigarette products. As of Sept. 12, the CDC has reported over 380 confirmed cases of lung illness associated with vaping in 36 states and one U.S. territory, including six deaths. While the investigation into the nationwide outbreak continues, they have not identified a definitive cause. All reported cases had a history of using vaping devices, and patients in the current investigation are reporting symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and/or fever.

For the latest Washington State case information, please visit the DOH tracking website.

For more detailed information on the federal investigation, please refer to the CDC web page regarding the matter.

Recommendations for the public:  

• The healthiest option is to not vape or smoke.
• Nicotine and marijuana are addictive and can harm the developing brain and vaping products contain other harmful chemicals.
• These products should ALWAYS be avoided by youth, young adults, and pregnant or nursing women.
• If you use vaping devices, monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. If you are concerned about your health after using an e-cigarette product, you can also call the Washington Poison Center at 1–800–222–1222.
• If you do use e-cigarette or vaping products, you should not buy these products off the street and should not modify these products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
• Adults who use vaping or other tobacco products who are attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco or vaping products, contact your health care provider or access online resources to quit tobacco and/or marijuana.

CONTACT
Chris Goodwin
Interim communications specialist
Public Health
564.397.8122
chris.goodwin@clark.wa.gov