Vaping illness brings area total to 8 cases

Signs on the counter at the Plum Food Mart in Springfield inform customers that they must by 21-years-old to purchase tobacco and vaping products as of Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Signs on the counter at the Plum Food Mart in Springfield inform customers that they must by 21-years-old to purchase tobacco and vaping products as of Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A second case of vaping-related illness has been recorded in Montgomery County.

The second case was reported on Oct. 21 and was a 59-year-old woman, according to Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County.

MORE: Ohio to spend $4.1M on initiatives aimed to fight youth vaping

As of Nov. 7 there have been eight cases of vaping-related illnesses in the region. This includes two Butler County cases, a Greene County case, two Miami County cases, two Montgomery County cases, and a Warren County case.

Ohio Department of Health said there have been 52 confirmed cases around the state as of Nov. 7. No deaths have been reported in the state. There are also 35 additional reports under investigation.

About 90 percent of Ohio cases have required some type of hospitalization. The median age is 21 years old, though ages range from a 15 year old to a 65 year old.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 32 Ohio vaping-related illnesses includes 2 local cases

As of Nov. 5, the CDC has reports of 2,051 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI).

E-cigarettes, which can be used to inhale a flavored nicotine vapor, have grown in popularity in recent years, including among teens. Health experts say nicotine is harmful to developing brains, and researchers worry that addicted teens will switch from vaping to smoking.

Vaping is also popular among adults looking for a way to switch from smoking cigarettes.

For help quitting, Ohioans can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help from a tobacco quit coach.

U.S. health officials reported a breakthrough Friday in their investigation into the cause of a mysterious outbreak of vaping illnesses.

A government lab found the same chemical compound in fluid taken from the lungs of 29 patients across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

The compound — vitamin E acetate — was previously found in liquid from electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices used by many of those who got sick.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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