Add To Favorites
State public health officials receive 184 reports of vaping-associated lung injury
Telegram & Gazette - 10/23/2019
With the number of vaping-associated lung injury cases continuing to rise, the state Department of Public Health has created an online database of those cases that is updated every Wednesday by noon.
The DPH has reported 17 new cases of vaping-associated lung injury to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, bring the total number of Massachusetts cases to 46. They include 16 that are confirmed and 30 probable. The cases were among 184 reported to the DPH by Massachusetts clinicians.
One person from the state, a woman in her 60s from Hampshire County, has died.
With the number of cases rising nationally, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a public health emergency on Sept. 24 and a four-month statewide ban on retail and online sales of all vaping products.
To date, DPH has received 184 reports from clinicians of suspected vaping-associated lung injury.
Of the 46 Massachusetts cases reported to the CDC, 27 were female and 19 male. All but six of the patients were hospitalized as a result of their illness.
The data included on the DPH website breaks down the patients by gender, age and substance used. There are 21 patients under 30, 14 30 to 49 and 11 50-years-old or older. Of those, 11 vaped nicotine only, 19 who used tetrahydrocannabinol oil (THC) only, 12 who included a combination of both, fewer than 5 that vaped cannabidiol oil (CBD) and fewer than five who vaped an unknown substance.
During the ban, to help people addicted to nicotine products, the state has ordered that nicotine replacement products like gum and patches be available as a covered benefit through insurance without requiring an individual prescription. Those who need help in dealing with vaping issues may contact the Massachusetts Smokers helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or find information at makesmokinghistory.org or Mass.gov/QuitVaping.
___
(c)2019 Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass.
Visit Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass. at www.telegram.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.