The person who fell ill was vaping nicotine and has since recovered

The province's top doctor says her office was looking into seven possible cases

It appears the first case of illness believed to be related to vaping has been discovered in B.C.

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The first possible case of vaping-related illness has been discovered in B.C.

Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says there are several other investigations underway that may also meet the definition of “probable or confirmed” vaping-related illness in the near future.

The person who fell ill was vaping nicotine and has now fully recovered.

“These are the first cases of vaping-related illness in B.C., but we fully expect there will be more as this is quickly emerging as a significant public health issue,” Henry said in a press release.

“Vaping is turning back the clock on decades of effective anti-smoking efforts and creating a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine.”

Henry says while she is concerned, she’s not alarmed by the news.

“It’s still a relatively rare disease so I don’t expect we’re going to have a lot of cases,” she says.

Seven possible cases of vaping illness were being investigated by the province, and two have since been discounted.

Almost a month ago, Henry issued a notice under a provincial law that requires doctors to report cases of patients with symptoms that meet the national case definition.Reports about potential incidents of vaping illness are being sent to the B.C. Centre for disease control, and cases are investigated by public health officials.

In September, a 19-year-old Langley man looked to have a class-action lawsuit against vaping mogul Juul certified in B.C. Supreme Court, after he claimed he suffered a number of ailments related to vaping.

The U.S. is looking into more than 1,000 cases of potential vaping-related illnesses, including 26 deaths.

The first vaping illness in Canada was reported in Quebec.

– With files from Jim Bennie, Ria Renouf, Liza Yuzda, Lauren Boothby, and the Canadian Press