The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed Thursday the state's first death related to vaping. However, it did not say if the victim was the same person identified by a coroner last week as the likely victim.

On Sept. 17, Anna Russell, 27, of Smithville, died at North Mississippi Medical Center/Gilmore/Amory, 12 hours after she had been admitted to the hospital, Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley previously said.

Russell had a "history of using vape pens," and her death is believed to be vaping-related, he said.

Monday, the health department issued a press release announcing three vaping-related illnesses statewide. In the release, they stated, "currently, there are no confirmed vaping-related deaths in the state."

Thursday, they issued the release saying, "Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first vaping-associated death. The death was in an individual under the age of 30."

No other details about the victim were provided.

Gurley said he saw the release from the health department but did not know if the death they were referencing was Russell's, as he has not yet received the results from her autopsy.

"I cannot confirm or deny that is the vaping death because they have not notified me of the results of my autopsy," he said.

Thursday's release also stated the number of "serious lung injury related to vaping" has increased to four statewide. The four victims are between 18 and 34 years old and three are still living.

According to the Associated Press, the health department also said three of the four indicated a history of vaping THC, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 800 confirmed and probable cases of lung illnesses and several deaths nationwide have been attributed to vaping.

This story may be updated.

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Contact Sarah Fowler at 601-961-7303 or sfowler@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.