2019–2020 vaping lung illness outbreak

The 2019–2020 vaping lung illness outbreak, also known as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury), was a significant public health crisis in the United States. The outbreak was characterized by a sudden increase in cases of severe lung illness associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Background

The outbreak began in mid-2019 and was primarily linked to the use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products. Many of these products were obtained from informal sources, such as friends, family, or in-person or online dealers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies conducted extensive investigations to identify the cause of the outbreak.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Patients affected by EVALI typically presented with respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Other symptoms included gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Diagnosis was primarily based on clinical presentation and history of e-cigarette or vaping product use.

Epidemiology

File:Number of EVALI cases from February 2019-January 2020.png

Number of EVALI cases from February 2019 to January 2020

The outbreak affected thousands of individuals across the United States, with a significant number of cases requiring hospitalization. The CDC reported that the majority of patients were young adults, with a median age of 24 years. The outbreak resulted in numerous fatalities, highlighting the severe nature of the illness.

Treatment and Management

Treatment for EVALI primarily involved supportive care, including oxygen therapy and, in severe cases, mechanical ventilation.

File:Percentage of persons needing intubation and hospitalization among patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury.png

Percentage of persons needing intubation and hospitalization among patients with EVALI

Corticosteroids were often used to reduce lung inflammation. Patients were advised to discontinue the use of e-cigarette or vaping products, particularly those containing THC.

Public Health Response

The outbreak prompted a significant public health response, including warnings from the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the risks associated with vaping. The FDA's Forensic Chemistry Center played a crucial role in analyzing samples of vaping products to identify harmful substances.

Media and Public Awareness

File:Sounding the Alarm - The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes.webm

Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes

The outbreak received extensive media coverage, raising public awareness about the potential dangers of vaping. Health agencies conducted telebriefings and released educational materials to inform the public about the risks associated with e-cigarette use.

Related Pages

• E-cigarette
• Vaping
• Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Gallery

• 
  2019 US vaping lung disease outbreak fatalities
• Telebriefing on vaping
  Telebriefing on vaping
• FDA’s Forensic Chemistry Center
  FDA’s Forensic Chemistry Center
• Frequently reported brand names of THC and nicotine-containing e-cigarette or vaping products
  Frequently reported brand names of THC and nicotine-containing e-cigarette or vaping products