Georgia reports first vaping-related death
Credit: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Health officials have has identified the first death in Georgia from an illness associated with vaping.
According to the Department of Public Health, the unidentified patient had a history of heavy nicotine vaping, but no reported history involving vaping THC canisters.
The patient is one of the nine cases of vaping-related illness currently identified in Georgia. In each case, the patient was hospitalized and developed pneumonia with no known cause of infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that they are investigating over 500 cases of illness associated to vaping. Cases have been reported in 38 states and one U.S. territory. Currently, there is no specific e-cigarette or vaping product that has been linked to the illnesses, though many patients reported using THC and nicotine.
Seven deaths have been reported, the first of which occurred in Illinois in late August.
Gov. Brian Kemp and the DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey M.D., M.P.H. say they urge individuals not to use e-cigarettes or other vaping devices while the investigation is ongoing.
The identity of the patient in this case has not been released. The age of the Georgians affected have ranged from 18 to 68 years old. The majority of those affected have been men.