Indiana Running Totals

[niman]

a lung injury linked to vaping has taken the life of one of our fellow Hoosiers. This respiratory condition has impacted nearly 50 others in our state

https://www.in.gov/isdh/files/Fall 2019.pdf

[niman]

The numbers are staggering. Nearly one in five high school students and almost 1 in 12 middle schoolers say they use electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, according to the 2018 Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey. Vaping among Indiana youth has increased more than 350 percent since 2012. While the rates of tobacco use have declined, the surge of youth using e-cigarettes has gone up at such an alarming pace that the U.S. Surgeon General is calling it an epidemic that “demands action to protect the lives of young people.” Many people think e-cigarettes are harmless, and they are available in a variety of flavors that appeal to youth. The fact is that most e-cigarettes contain highly addictive nicotine, which isn’t safe for young people’s developing brains. One e-cigarette can contain the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. These devices may also include other harmful chemicals, and may make the young people who use them more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future. Those are some of the reasons that Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health have launched a campaign to reduce vaping among Indiana’s youth. The plan was unveiled Aug. 29 at Fishers High School. The campaign has three areas of focus: • Increase awareness of the risks associated with e-cigarettes. The plan includes an educational toolkit with data, resources and more for schools, parents and students. • Help youth quit vaping with a youth-focused text-to-quit program • Boost public awareness of vaping statewide though a campaign to focus both on prevention and cessation As we prepare to roll out these efforts across the state, I urge you to visit vapefreeindiana.isdh.in.gov for more information on what you can do to protect youth from the dangers of vaping. You’ll find there a variety of resources, from the complete tobacco survey to local tobacco control coalitions, and from no-vaping signs to tips for talking to kids about e-cigarettes. I hope you’ll browse through the website and find things you can do in your community to reverse this dangerous trend. Within a week of the announcement of this campaign came the tragic news that a lung injury linked to vaping has taken the life of one of our fellow Hoosiers. This respiratory condition has impacted nearly 50 others in our state, and nationwide, nearly 400 cases have been reported in 36 states. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we still have more questions than answers. While the investigation continues into the cause of this condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that everyone who uses e-cigarettes consider not vaping until we know more. The rise in vaping among our youth and the serious injury vaping may cause is not something we can ignore. Thank you for helping to raise awareness so that we can keep Hoosiers safe. Yours in health, Kris

[niman]

Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use or Vaping

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) began investigating vaping-related severe lung injuries in early August 2019.  The number of vaping-related lung injuries continues to rise steadily in Indiana and nationwide. Vaping is the only common factor in these injuries to date. Most individuals have reported vaping THC, the ingredient in marijuana, or other substances, but it’s unknown what specific products, brand or substance is causing these injuries. More information is being learned as new cases are investigated and data analyzed.

 

 

This is a rapidly changing situation, and ISDH continues to gather data on cases and collaborate with local partners and healthcare providers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to learn more about these lung injuries and determine potential causes. The CDC recommends that until more is known, people consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products if they are concerned about these specific health risks.

https://www.in.gov/isdh/28337.htm

Edited September 28, 2019 by niman

[niman]

Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use or Vaping

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) began investigating vaping-related severe lung injuries in early August 2019.  The number of vaping-related lung injuries continues to rise steadily in Indiana and nationwide. Vaping is the only common factor in these injuries to date. Most individuals have reported vaping THC, the ingredient in marijuana, or other substances, but it’s unknown what specific products, brand or substance is causing these injuries. More information is being learned as new cases are investigated and data analyzed.

 

 

This is a rapidly changing situation, and ISDH continues to gather data on cases and collaborate with local partners and healthcare providers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to learn more about these lung injuries and determine potential causes. The CDC recommends that until more is known, people consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products if they are concerned about these specific health risks.

 

Patients have experienced respiratory symptoms, including:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea

Some patients have reported that their symptoms developed over a few days, while others have reported that their symptoms developed over several weeks. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should see their healthcare provider right away.

 

In Indiana, the use of e-cigarettes and vaping among youth has risen more than 350 percent among high school and middle school students since 2012.  Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box have announced a plan to address youth vaping in Indiana. This approach includes education and training for parents, teachers and students; a youth-focused text messaging program; and a statewide media campaign. Visit Vape-Free Indiana for more information.

 

Click here for a fact sheet on e-cigarettes.

 

Resources:

• The CDC has developed a webpage that has resources for the public, healthcare providers and health departments.
• Learn more about e-cigarettes and vaping products, including what they look like and how to talk to kids about them, by visiting Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults, as well as Vape-Free Indiana.
• Call the Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to talk to a quit coach or visit www.QuitNowIndiana.com if you are interested in quitting smoking, vaping or other tobacco use.

For Providers:

ISDH and the Indiana Poison Control Center have partnered to improve case reporting efficiency. To report suspected cases, please call ISDH at 317-233-7125 or the Indiana Poison Center at (800) 222-1222.

To submit vape product, or for additional questions, please call ISDH at (317) 233-7125, or the ISDH epidemiologist on call after hours at (317) 233-1325.

Resources:

The following CDC publications have more information regarding the outbreak:

• Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with Electronic-Cigarette–Product Use — Interim Guidance
• Outbreak of Electronic-Cigarette–Associated Acute Lipoid Pneumonia — North Carolina, July–August 2019
• Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and Wisconsin — Preliminary Report        
• Case definition

[niman]

Posted: Sep 27, 2019 / 05:26 PM PDT / Updated: Sep 27, 2019 / 05:26 PM PDT

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (CNN) — Indiana health officials confirmed the state’s first vaping related death earlier this month.

Now, a father says it was his 32-year-old daughter and is sharing her story.

It’s a smile family can now only see in a picture.

Everything seemed good with Megan Eagle and then one day, it wasn’t.

“It truly is a parent’s worst nightmare, and it is a nightmare I even occasionally have, seen her death,” said the woman’s father, Steve Dillon.

Dillon lives about two hours outside Indianapolis.

He was supposed to be celebrating Eagle’s 32nd birthday last week.

It all changed after a trip to the emergency room in August.

“She became ill, had flu-like symptoms. Had a fever, an upset stomach. She vomited and was short of breath,” Dillon said.

He says he sickness kept getting worse and doctors could not stop it.

“So they decided Saturday night to ventilate her and she did not want it. She was afraid she was going to die,” the dad said.

Eagle passed away at the hospital less than a week later.

Dillon says he doctor believes her illness was likely related to vaping.

“He told me in the cases he has seen in this region that they all look exactly like Megan,” Dillon said.

Dillon still has one of his daughter’s vape pens.

He thinks Eagles started vaping THC about a year ago to manage pain and she was getting her supply from California.

“Nobody knows what you are smoking, nobody knows what is going into your lungs what you are sucking into your lungs,” Dillon said.

Right now, Indiana’s State Department of Health is investigating at least 50 cases of severe lung injury.

Physicians at IU Methodist and Riley Hospital say they’re also seeing illnesses that could be linked to vaping.

“We are seeing people the ages of 18 to 34 mostly coming in with vague cough, fever and general difficulty breathing,” said Tommy Eales, emergency medicine physician at IU Methodist.

A majority of patients have reported vaping THC, yet health officials still do not know what is causing these mysterious illnesses.

It’s a mystery Dillon wants to be solved, so another family doesn’t experience his pain.

“I will never get my baby back. That’s over. But I would like to know what killed her,” he said.

The CDC says at least 805 lung injury cases have been reported 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands and 13 deaths have been reported in 10 states.

https://www.kron4.com/news/national/indiana-father-says-daughters-death-linked-to-vaping/

[niman]

Indiana father says daughter died after a history of vaping THC

POSTED 4:09 PM, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019, BY KELLY REINKE

 

PEKIN, Ind.– A Hoosier father in southern Indiana says his daughter, Megan Eagle, died after a history of vaping THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Earlier this month, Indiana health officials confirmed the state’s first vaping-related death. Steve Dillon said they are talking about his 31-year-old daughter.

“It truly is a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Dillon. “And it is a nightmare I even occasionally have, seen her death.”

Dillon lives about two hours south of Indianapolis. He was supposed to be celebrating Megan’s 32nd birthday last week. It all changed after a trip to the emergency room in August.

“She became ill, had flu like symptoms, had a fever, an upset stomach,” he said. “She vomited and was short of breath.”

He said her sickness kept getting worse and doctors could not stop it. One night, Dillon said doctors decided to put her on a ventilator. Less than a week later, Megan passed away at the hospital.

Dillon said her doctor believes her illness was likely related to vaping.

“He told me in the cases he has seen in this region that they all look exactly like Megan,” he said.

Dillon still has one of her vape pens. He believes Megan started vaping THC about a year ago to manage pain and she was getting her supply from California.

“Nobody knows what you are smoking, nobody knows what is going into your lungs, what you are sucking into your lungs,” he said.

Right now, Indiana State Department of Health is investigating at least 50 cases of severe lung injury. More than 15 of those cases are confirmed. A spokesperson for ISDH said cases are confirmed using the case definition set by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

ISDH said a majority of the cases are people ages 18 to 29 with a history of vaping. THC has been reported in a majority of cases.

Patients have experienced respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.

This week, the CDC said there are more than 800 lung injury cases reported and all patients have a history of vaping.

Physicians at IU Methodist and Riley Hospital said they are also seeing illnesses that could be linked to vaping.

“We are seeing people the ages of 18 to 34 mostly coming in with vague cough, fever and general difficulty breathing,” said Tommy Eales, an emergency medicine physician at IU Methodist.

Dr. Eales said it is becoming more routine for doctors to ask patients about vaping.

Health officials still do not know what is causing these mysterious illnesses. It is a mystery Dillon wants to be solved so another family does not experience his pain.

“I will never get my baby back. That is over. But I would like to know what killed her,” he said.

https://fox59.com/2019/09/27/indiana-father-says-daughter-died-after-a-history-of-vaping-thc/

Edited September 28, 2019 by niman

[niman]

A vaping-related death has been reported in Tippecanoe County according to a spokesperson from IU Health Arnett Hospital.

Posted: Oct 10, 2019 1:33 PM

Updated: Oct 10, 2019 2:12 PM

Posted By: Marvin Bills 

https://www.wlfi.com/content/news/vaping-related-death-reported-in-tippecanoe-county-562734301.html

[niman]

Two more Indiana residents die from lung damage linked to vaping

 

 

In this April 23, 2014 file photo, a man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago. On Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they are investigating more cases of a breathing illness associated with vaping. The root cause remains unclear, but officials said Friday that many reports involve marijuana vaping.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh/

 

 

Two more Indiana residents have died from lung damage linked to vaping, state health officials said Thursday.

One other death in the state had previously been linked to vaping.

 

The two new deaths, both adults, were confirmed Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

“These deaths are heartbreaking,” the state health commissioner, Kris Box, said in a statement. “I urge anyone who is using these products to consider stopping, especially if you are vaping THC,” the ingredient found in marijuana.

 

Nationally, health officials have linked two dozen other deaths to vaping.

Indiana is currently investigating 75 cases of severe lung injury attributed to vaping. The majority of the cases are in people ages 16 to 29.

The state says most have reported vaping THC, but some people have reported vaping only nicotine.

https://t.co/yOUpCtc1UR?amp=1

[niman]

    

 

 

PUBLISHED: ABOUT AN HOUR AGO

UPDATED: ABOUT AN HOUR AGO

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Indiana State Department of Health says they are investigating a fourth vaping-related death.

The person died "due to severe lung injury linked to a history of e-cigarette use or 'vaping,'" according to health officials.

The death was confirmed on Thursday and the patient was only identified as being between the ages of 50 and 59.

The Health Department began investigating vaping-related severe lung injuries in early August 2019.

The Health Department says vaping is the only common factor in these injuries to date.

To date, health officials say there have been 55 confirmed vaping related lung injuries with another 57 probable cases.

The majority of the cases are in persons between the ages of 18 and 29.

https://www.wthr.com/article/state-health-department-investigating-4th-vaping-related-death