US patient dies from mysterious vaping-related illness in what could be first death linked to smoking alternative
- Deceased was one of 22 people hospitalised in Illinois for symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea after vaping
- Similar cases across US are prompting health officials to warn of dangers of e-cigarette use
One of the Illinois residents hospitalised for an unknown respiratory illness after vaping has died, public health officials said on Friday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health would not disclose further details about the individual or circumstances surrounding the death.
In recent weeks, 22 people, ages 17 to 38, have been hospitalised across the state for respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhoea, after vaping, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The department is also investigating 12 more individuals with these symptoms. And dozens more in other states have also been hospitalised this summer, causing federal and state public health officials to warn of the dangers of vaping, or use of e-cigarettes – a practice on the rise among adolescents.
On Wednesday, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a news release in which it said 149 people nationwide had contracted a severe respiratory illness after vaping, but that there had not been any deaths reported as of then.
