Hillsborough County health officials have reported 11 confirmed and probable cases of Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Illness (VAPI) as of Oct. 10.

Vaping image by Lindsay Fox from Pixabay

In Hillsborough County, approximately 91% of the individuals are white and non-Hispanic. Of the cases, 82% were male, 73% were under 35 years of age (average 28.5 years). The most frequently reported symptoms were cough (64%), fever (64%), vomiting (64%), shortness of breath (55%), and diarrhea (55%).

While much of the vaping product history is unknown at this time, the majority of individuals (82%) with confirmed or possible VAPI have reported use of marijuana and/or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) oils in their vaping device. The illegality of THC oils in the State of Florida may lead to incomplete reporting of THC vape oil usage among cases.

While the direct cause of these lung injury cases is unknown, it is suggested for individuals who currently vape to stop use vaping devices and cartridges, especially those containing THC.

VAPI cases are lung injury cases with pulmonary infiltrates or opacities on CT scan which lack infectious or other alternative medical diagnoses among people who use vaping devices. The condition may present similarly to pneumonia of infectious origin with elevated white blood cells and fever, but lacks an infectious or other internal disease process.

Through Oct. 12, Florida has reported 68 vaping lung illness associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping , including one death.

Nationally as of Oct. 15, 1,479 confirmed and probable lung injury cases associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products were reported by 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition, 33 deaths have been confirmed in 24 states: Alabama, California (3), Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois, Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

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