In the United States, the number of deaths from vaping-related illnesses is increasing

Daniel Becerril / Reuters

HEALTH – The epidemic of lung diseases linked to the consumption of electronic cigarettes in the United States is not fading, the death toll has risen to 18 and 1080 patients, announced Thursday (October 3rd) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ).

In one week, six new deaths and 275 new cases were identified according to the criteria established by the health authorities: half of the new patients corresponded to old cases that had not been recognized as such, and the other half to people who have been hospitalized for the last two weeks-while the alarm has sounded since August.

"Unfortunately, the epidemic (…) continues at a rapid pace," said CDC senior executive Anne Schuchat in a conference call with the press. "We do not observe a decline in the occurrence of new cases".

It is in the context of this mysterious epidemic that many states and cities have decided to ban all e-cigarettes (in Massachusetts, San Francisco …), or flavored vapers to anything other than tobacco. (mint, menthol, fruits …).

The reason given for prohibitions is the protection of young people. One in four high school students said they had been vaping in the previous month, according to a survey published in September in the United States. New England Journal of Medicineagainst 11% in 2017.

78% of the patients for whom information is available indicated that they had used refills of vapers with THC, the psychoactive agent of cannabis.

"The black market is of great concern to us," said Anne Schuchat.

As a precaution, and for lack of understanding what causes diseases, the authorities officially advise against vaping, especially if it is cannabis products and bought from dealers.

Unable to identify the product (s) responsible for the moment

More than 400 samples are in the hands of the Federal Food Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, which analyzes them in the hope of finding the ingredient or ingredients that may have caused the lung lesions, among the many additives , solvents, oils and flavors added in e-liquids to cut cannabis or nicotine. "The samples we analyze give different results, and no single substance has been identified," said Judy McMeekin of the FDA.

At this stage of the investigation, "we must keep an open mind and admit that sources in one part of the country are not necessarily the same as elsewhere," said Anne Schuchat.

The analysis of lung lesions does not give similar results by region. A study of 17 patients by physicians from the Mayo Clinic Hospital Network, released on Wednesday, found similar lesions to toxic lung gases such as chemical burns.

Another study of five patients in North Carolina showed conversely lesions of the lipid pneumonia type, when oils penetrate the lungs.

"We have the impression that there are a lot of bad things in e-cigarettes and vaping products, and it's possible that different things will damage the lungs in different ways," added the CDC manager.

The median age of those who die is 49 and a half, said Anne Schuchat, but 80% of patients are under 35 years old. 16% are under 18 years old.

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