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How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range
18 0 17-45 years

 

  • There are 18 cases reported in Louisiana
  • 18 cases of pulmonary illness were reported to health officials between August and September of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-45.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.
  • Click here for Outbreak of Lung Disease Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping Information from the CDC Site

http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724

Posted

Vaping in Louisiana

vaping6.jpg

     

Outbreak Background

CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) use. Although the etiology of e-cigarette-associated pulmonary disease is undetermined, epidemiologic investigations in affected states are ongoing to better characterize the exposures, demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and behaviors of patients. All patients have reported using e-cigarette products. The exact number is currently unknown, but many patients have reported using e-cigarettes containing cannabinoid products such as THC or CBD.

The Louisiana Department of Health is asking physicians and other healthcare providers to report severe respiratory illnesses among patients that report a history of e-cigarette use to state health officials.

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What are E-Cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol to the user by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver marijuana or other substances.

E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.

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Recommendations for the public

  • If you are concerned about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes, consider discontinuing the products.
  • E-cigarette products should not be bought off the street and should not be modified or have substances not intended for use by the manufacturer added.
  • Youth, young adults and pregnant women, as well as adults who do not currently use tobacco products, should not use e-cigarettes.
  • Monitor for symptoms of severe side effects if you do use e-cigarettes. If you do develop symptoms, seek medical attention. These symptoms include:
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Fever
    • Weight loss
  • Adult smokers who are looking to quit smoking can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.quitwithusla.org for information on FDA-approved counseling and medications.

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How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range
18 0 17-45 years

 

  • There are 18 cases reported in Louisiana
  • 18 cases of pulmonary illness were reported to health officials between August and September of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-45.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.
  • Click here for Outbreak of Lung Disease Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping Information from the CDC Site

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Resources for the Public

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Information for Healthcare Providers

Health care providers should report cases of severe pulmonary disease of unclear etiology and a history of e-cigarette product use to the Louisiana Department of Health’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section at 1-800-256-2748 within one business day.

Reporting of cases may help CDC and state health departments determine the cause or causes 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.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range
20 0 17-45 years

 

  • There are 20 cases reported in Louisiana
  • 20 cases of pulmonary illness were reported to health officials between August and October of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-45.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.
  • http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724
Posted

How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range
21 0 17-45 years

 

  • There are 21 cases reported in Louisiana
  • 21 cases of pulmonary illness were reported to health officials between August and October of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-45.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.

http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

  Substance/Exposure
Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range Nicotine Nicotine & THC THC
25 0 17-71 16% 60% 24%

 

Vaping Cases Chart

  • There are 25 cases reported in Louisiana
  • 25 cases of pulmonary illness were reported to health officials between August and October of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-71.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.

http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

How Many Cases are There in Louisiana

  Substance/Exposure
Outbreak Cases Deaths Age Range Median Age Nicotine Nicotine & THC THC
29 0 17-71 28 21% 58% 21%

 

Vaping Cases Chart

  • 29 cases of EVALI were reported to Louisiana health officials between August and October of 2019. Those cases were reported from throughout the state with the ages ranging from 17-71.
  • There have been no deaths in Louisiana associated with this illness.

http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
 

Louisiana has its first death associated with a mysterious vaping illness that has appeared nationwide in recent months, after a handful of cases of the pulmonary illness were reported in the state since June.

Louisiana Department of Health spokesman Bob Johannessen said Monday the state has its first confirmed death and 30 confirmed cases of the vaping illness.

“One death is one too many,” said Dr. Alex Billioux, assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health. “We urge people to recognize the dangers of vaping and to stop vaping until more is known about the specific causes of lung injuries that have been occurring in people who use vaping products.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_1a6ce70a-0a32-11ea-b057-37dbeaf96bce.amp.html

Posted

Louisiana Department of Health reports first vaping-related death in the state

November 18, 2019
Baton Rouge, La. (November 18, 2019) — The Louisiana Department of Health today confirmed the first death linked to a vaping-associated lung injury, or EVALI, in the state. Privacy laws prevent the release of further information about this individual.

The outbreak in Louisiana now includes 30 total cases. Among the Louisianans with these lung illnesses/injuries, the primary exposure factor is a combination of nicotine and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active ingredient in marijuana.

“One death is one too many. We urge people to recognize the dangers of vaping and to stop vaping until more is known about the specific causes of lung injuries that have been occurring in people who use vaping products,” said Dr. Alex Billioux, assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health.

According to statistics reported by the Department of Health, the median age of people diagnosed with a vaping-related lung illness is 29. The youngest person is 17 and the oldest is 71. The combination of nicotine and THC accounts for more than half of all illnesses (55%) in Louisiana, though one in five individuals (21%) with EVALI report use of nicotine alone.

Users of vaping products should immediately seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever and/or nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and vomiting.

Regardless of the investigation, the Department of Health recommends the following:
  • Discontinue using vaping products.
  • Do not purchase vaping products off the street and do not modify them or use substances not intended for use by the manufacturer.
  • Youth, young adults and pregnant women, as well as adults who do not currently use tobacco products, should not use vaping products.
  • Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using vaping products.
  • Adults who are vaping should not smoke combustible cigarettes as a replacement for nicotine. (E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are not FDA approved as smoking cessation tools.)
  • Monitor for symptoms of severe side effects if you do use vaping products. If you do develop symptoms, seek medical attention.
Information about vaping-associated lung injuries is updated weekly by the Louisiana Department of Health here.

Additionally, the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), a 24-hour-a-day, confidential, free tobacco cessation helpline that links people who want to quit using tobacco with trained tobacco cessation specialists who create an individualized plan to quit. This free service is available in English, Spanish and 150 other languages to people calling from anywhere in Louisiana. TYY and TDD accommodations for hearing impaired and deaf individuals are also available at 1-866-228-4327.
About the Louisiana Department of Health 
 
The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state residents. The Louisiana Department of Health includes the Office of Public Health, Office of Aging & Adult Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.ldh.la.gov or follow us on TwitterFacebook or our blog.

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