The latest findings from the CDC investigation
suggest products containing THC play a role in
the outbreak.
Data obtained from 578 patients revealed that
in the three months prior to symptom onset, 77
percent reported using THC-containing products
while 37 percent reported exclusive use of THC-
containing products.
About 58 percent reported using nicotine-
containing products with 17 percent reporting
exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
No consistent evidence of an infectious cause
has been discovered leading medical experts to
conclude that chemical exposure is the most
likely cause.
What we don’t know:
•
•
•
The specific chemical exposure(s) which are
causing the lung injuries.
Whether there is a single common
denominator. No single product or substance
has been linked to all the lung injury cases.
More information is needed to know whether
one or more products, substances, or brands
are responsible for the outbreak.
The CDC said: “Unlike nationally-reportable
conditions, these cases require clinicians
and public health professionals to interview
patients to determine product use and individual
behaviours.
“This complex investigation spans many states,
involves hundreds of patients, and involves a
wide variety of substances.
“Anyone who uses an e-cigarette or vaping
product should not buy these products off
the street and should not modify or add any
substances to these products that are not
intended by the manufacturer.”
The CDC has also provided detailed briefing
notes for the public, health care providers and
health departments. The briefings give specific
advice for each of the three categories and
clinicians are advised:
“As this investigation continues, CDC encourages
clinicians to report possible lung injury cases of
e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury to
their local or state health department for further
investigation.
“If e-cigarette, or vaping, product use is suspected as
a possible cause for a patient’s lung injury, a detailed
history of the substances used, the sources, and the
devices used should be obtained and efforts should
be made to determine if any remaining product,
devices, and liquids are available for testing.”
VM25 93