DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The number of lung related illnesses believed to be caused by vaping continues to rise across the country, including in North Texas.
Dallas County alone is reporting 14 cases linked to E-cigarettes.
“There’s still a lot we don’t know about these illnesses,” said Dallas County Health Director, Dr. Phil Huang. “Nothing has been conclusively identified about what is causing this. Many of the cases have been associated with THC use, which is the active ingredient in marijuana. But, not all of the cases.”
Health officials in Collin and Denton counties don’t currently have a way to track lung related illnesses to vaping. But, Denton County plans to identify a process to do so later this year.
Five people have died this year in the U.S. from illnesses believed to be linked to E-cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention, 450 cases span 33 states and the Virgin Islands. Investigators have not identified one specific ingredient causing severe lung disease.
The majority of cases have been reported in teenagers. According to Dallas County Health and Human Services, the average age of patients in Dallas county is 19.
Statistics released by DCHHS:
- The median age of these patients is 19 years.
- Most (79%) have been male.
- 6 have been under the age of 18 years.
- 6 have required intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Copyright 2019. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
