Recent News

For Immediate Release:
Nov. 14, 2019

Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Chief, Office of Public Information
Missouri DHSS of Health and Senior Services
Lisa.Cox@health.mo.gov

 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A Missouri woman in her mid-50s died this week with her death being associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. This is the second vaping-related death in Missouri. 

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), in discussion with the person’s treating physicians, concluded that vaping was a contributing factor to the female’s death who was experiencing a long-standing underlying chronic lung condition.

Since Missouri DHSS began advising, and now requiring, physicians to report possible lung injuries associated with e-cigarettes, or vaping, in late August, DHSS has found 35 cases to be confirmed or probable from throughout the state of Missouri, using the case definition developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“Sadly, we report the tragic impact e-cigarettes have had on another Missourian, and we send our condolences to her family,” said Dr. Randall Williams, DHSS director. “As previously stated, we encourage Missourians to follow the CDC guidance to refrain from using e-cigarette products if you are concerned about these specific health risks, especially while the investigation is ongoing.”

No infectious diseases have been identified with the illness, meaning it doesn’t spread from person to person. These lung illnesses are likely associated with a chemical exposure from vaping. Patients report e-cigarette use and similar symptoms including:

• Cough, shortness of breath or chest pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Fatigue, fever, or weight loss.
• Elevated heart rate.

DHSS and the CDC advise anyone using vaping products who experience the symptoms listed above to seek medical care promptly.

CDC recommends that people should not use e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain THC, particularly from informal sources like friends, or family, or in-person or online dealers. Until the relationship of vitamin E acetate and lung health is better understood, vitamin E acetate should not be added to e-cigarette, or vaping, products.  In addition, people should not add any substance to e-cigarette or vaping products that are not intended by the manufacturer, including products purchased through retail establishments. CDC will continue to update guidance, as appropriate, as new data become available from this outbreak investigation. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation by the health department and CDC, youth, young adults and women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarettes. Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarettes. Adult smokers who are attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and Food and Drug Administration-approved medications. If someone needs help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contact your doctor or other medical provider or call the Missouri Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). For information on the text-based e-cigarette quit program from Truth Initiative, visit truthinitiative.org/quitecigarettes or text “DITCHJUUL” to 88709.

Anyone concerned about their health after using e-cigarettes should call the local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information, please visit the DHSS webpage for the lung injury outbreak.

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About the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: The department seeks to be the leader in protecting health and keeping people safe. More information about DHSS can be found at http://health.mo.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter @HealthyLivingMo.