Mississippi Outbreak Information: Vaping-Related Lung Illness

The Mississippi State Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of severe lung illness related to e-cigarette use (vaping). This investigation is part of a national outbreak of vaping-related pulmonary illness whose cause has yet to be determined.

About This Outbreak

• Nationally, all reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping.
• Most of the cases have reported vaping cannabis products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Many patients have reported using THC and nicotine. Some have reported the use of e-cigarette products containing only nicotine.
• The specific cause of these lung injuries remains unknown, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern. This chemical can be used as an additive in e-cigarette products that contain THC. However, other substances and product sources are still under investigation as possible causes or contributing factors.
• The CDC and the FDA recommend that people not use THC-containing e-cigarette or vaping products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers. More recommendations

• More outbreak information from the CDC

Mississippi Cases

Last updated January 13, 2019.

Healthcare providers: Report suspected cases to MSDH at 601-576-7725 or 601-576-7400 after hours, weekends and holidays.

Symptoms

Symptoms of severe pulmonary disease include:

• cough
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• fever
• fatigue

Symptoms develop anywhere from over a few days of use to weeks of using e-cigarettes. If you have recently used an e-cigarette or vaping product and you have symptoms like these, see your healthcare provider.

Recommendations

The latest national and state findings suggest that products containing THC that were obtained from informal sources (friends, family, online, in-person dealer, etc.) are linked to most of the lung illness cases and play a major role in the outbreak. However, until an exact cause of the illness has been determined, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions:

• Do not use any e-cigarettes or vaping products, especially those containing THC, that come from informal sources such as friends, family, or individual dealers (in person or online).
• Do not modify or add any substances to e-cigarette products that are not intended by the manufacturer, including those purchased through retail establishments.
• If you use e-cigarette or vaping products and you have symptoms like those reported above, see your healthcare provider.

Quitting tobacco

• If you use e-cigarettes to quit tobacco smoking, don't return to smoking tobacco.
• Use approaches that are approved and effective to quit smoking. The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline offers free, expert help in quitting.

E-cigarette use

• Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette products. Find out why
• Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products. Find out why
• If you don't smoke tobacco, don't start using e-cigarette products. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, carry health risks.

THC use

• THC use has been associated with a wide range of health effects. To stay healthy, do not use vaping products that contain THC.
• If you do use vaping products that contain THC, and you experience problems such as impairment or distress, get help quitting. Look for a behavioral treatment program that's evidence-based and designed for cannabis use disorder.

Healthcare Providers

Mississippi Healthcare Providers are asked to report any cases of severe pulmonary disease with no clear cause and a history of e-cigarette product use within the past 90 days to MSDH at 601-576-7725. Reporting of cases helps MSDH and the CDC determine more about the cause of these pulmonary illnesses.

Ask all patients who report e-cigarette product use within the last 90 days about signs and symptoms of pulmonary illness.

• Update: Health Professional Advisory: Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with E-Cigarette (Vaping) Product

More Information

• Outbreak information from the CDC: What You Need to Know