(CNN) Illinois health officials announced on Friday the death of an adult who had vaped and later developed a severe respiratory illness. This is the first such death to be reported amid a growing number of lung illnesses across the country that doctors say could be connected to e-cigarettes.

On Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was aware of 193 potential cases of severe lung disease in 22 states that could be caused by vaping.

These numbers are an increase from the 153 potential cases in 16 states that the agency reported Wednesday. At the time, there were no known deaths reported, the agency said.

The number of confirmed and possible cases in Illinois alone has doubled since last week -- now at 22 people , with another 12 people being investigated.

"The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous," Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in a statement. Ezike added that the department requested help from CDC staff, who arrived in Illinois Tuesday.

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