Over 30 Confirmed Cases of Lung Disease Linked to Vaping in WI

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services now says there
are over 30 confirmed cases of severe lung disease caused by vaping in the
state. Health officials said as of Thursday, they are aware of 34 cases of severe
lung disease linked to vaping with another 12 patients whose cases need further
investigation. 15 counties in the state now have confirmed cases, including
nearby Dodge, Winnebago, Sheboygan and Washington counties. DHS says most of
the people reporting lung disease are adolescents and young adults, but some
older adults have also been affected. Patients have reported a range of initial
symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, nausea, vomiting,
fever and weight loss – with the majority of those patients going on to develop
severe respiratory illnesses.

As reported last week, the majority of people with lung disease
have reported using e-cigarettes or other vaping devices to inhale products
containing THC, the active ingredient in Marijuana. Health officials say that
vaping cartridges containing THC can contain unknown chemicals or additives
that are unsafe, and that the public should avoid vaping THC products.