KXMB News, 9.4.19
For the first time, a case of “severe respiratory illness” linked to e-cigarette use has been reported in North Dakota.
The case, reported by the North Dakota Department of Health, adds to a growing list of vaping-related illnesses nationwide. The NDDoH says more than 200 similar cases in 25 other states have been reported.
State epidemiologist Dr. Tracy Miller says the North Dakota Department of Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on what’s being called “a national outbreak.”
Health officials say symptoms of vaping-related illnesses related include coughing, headaches, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, patients required treatment in a hospital.
The CDC and Food and Drug Administration issued a statement Friday morning warning that “anyone who does use e-cigarette products should not buy these products off the street (e.g., e-cigarette products with THC or other cannabinoids) and should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.”
The Department of Health asks anyone who frequently vapes and experiences the symptoms listed above to contact health officials at 1-866-207-2880, or to take a survey at ndhealth.gov.