2019–2020 vaping lung illness outbreak

2019–2020 Vaping Lung Illness Outbreak

The 2019–2020 Vaping Lung Illness Outbreak was a significant public health crisis that occurred in the United States and other parts of the world. The outbreak was characterized by a sudden increase in lung disease cases associated with the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping products.

Background

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol, often referred to as vapor, produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The practice gained popularity in the mid-2000s as a perceived safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking. However, the safety and long-term health effects of vaping remain a subject of ongoing debate and research.

Outbreak

The 2019–2020 Vaping Lung Illness Outbreak began in the summer of 2019, with the first cases reported in Illinois and Wisconsin. By February 2020, more than 2,800 cases of vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with 68 confirmed deaths.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Patients with EVALI typically present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Some patients also reported gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Diagnosis of EVALI is challenging due to the lack of a specific test and the need to rule out other potential causes of lung injury.

Cause and Response

The exact cause of the outbreak remains unknown, but the CDC identified vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent used in THC vaping products, as a potential culprit. In response to the outbreak, several states implemented temporary bans on the sale of vaping products, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings about the risks of vaping.

See Also

• Electronic cigarette
• Lung disease
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Food and Drug Administration