Quebec Running Totals

[niman]

First case of severe lung injury associated with vaping has been announced

https://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/ministere/salle-de-presse/communique-1927/

[niman]

Québec, September 27, 2019

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) confirms a first case in Quebec of a person with severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping. In this wake, the MSSS wishes to remind the public that vaping is not without risk and that its long-term effects are not yet known.

[niman]

A first case in Quebec of severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping

Québec, September 27, 2019

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) confirms a first case in Quebec of a person with severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping. In this wake, the MSSS wishes to remind the public that vaping is not without risk and that its long-term effects are not yet known.

As with tobacco products, young people, pregnant women and non-smokers should refrain from using electronic cigarettes. 

Users who choose to vapote must:

• monitor for symptoms of lung disease, such as coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• seek medical attention promptly, as needed.

Institutions in the health and social services network have been asked to be vigilant and a process for reporting cases of severe pulmonary disease potentially related to vaping is being deployed.

Quote:

"Following the confirmation of this first case in Quebec, it is necessary to reiterate the importance of remaining vigilant. People with health concerns should tell their healthcare professional if they are vaping or have been vaping, as well as the devices and substances used. Every case is taken seriously and the Department of Health and Social Services continues to monitor developments in Quebec closely. "

Horacio Arruda, National Director of Public Health

Highlights:

 

It should be noted that products from illegal or unregulated sources are particularly avoidable as they carry additional risks. It is important to note, however, that legal products should not be considered risk free. Finally, vaping devices and liquids should also not be modified or used in a manner not intended by the manufacturer.

Related link:

To consult the warning concerning the risk of severe pulmonary disease associated with vaping  : https://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/professionnels/tabagisme/produits-du-tabac-et-cigarette-electronique/documents-et -Publications /

[niman]

The Middlesex-London Health Unit will hold a news conference this afternoon, Wednesday, September 18th at 2:00 p.m. as part of its involvement in the case of a youth who has been diagnosed with severe respiratory illness that has been linked to the individual’s use of vaping products.

https://www.healthunit.com/news/media-advisory-respiratory-illness-linked-to-vaping

[niman]

A high-school-aged youth from London, Ont. was on life support because of using e-cigarettes but has since been released according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit in London, Ont.

The unit says it was notified of the youth with severe respiratory illness last last week.

https://montrealgazette.com/cannabis-health/cannabis-medical/vaping-related-illness-sends-youth-to-hospital-in-london-ont-reportedly-first-case-in-canada/wcm/b6d398c5-28c1-4a22-875a-304805e64bca

[niman]

Quebec has reported its 1st case of severe lung disease linked to vaping, the provincial health ministry has confirmed.

A man in his 50s who started vaping in April [2019] developed chest pain and had trouble breathing. However, the man has since recovered, Dr. Mylene Drouin of the Montreal Public Health Department told reporters at a news conference on Friday [27 Sep 2019]. He chose to vape as a means to stop smoking.

The Quebec case is the 2nd to be reported thus far in Canada. On [18 Sep 2019] a high-school student from London, Ontario, was placed temporarily on life support after using e-cigarettes but was later released from hospital, according to the local health authority in the province.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's top public health officer, reiterated the risks associated with vaping at Friday's news conference. "Following the confirmation of this 1st case in Quebec, it is necessary to reiterate the importance of remaining vigilant," Arruda said in a statement.

"People with health concerns should tell their health-care professional if they are vaping or have been vaping, as well as the devices and substances used. Every case is taken seriously and the Health Ministry continues to monitor developments in Quebec closely."

In a [10 Sep 2019] warning, Arruda urged young people, pregnant women and non-smokers to refrain from using electronic cigarettes. "It is important to remember vaping is not without risk, and its long-term effects are not yet known," Arruda said at the time. "In this context, the population is encouraged to be vigilant."

On [4 Sep 2019], Health Canada issued a statement about a possible link between the use of vaping products and cases of a potentially deadly pulmonary disease in the USA.

The American Medical Association on Monday [23 Sep 2019] advised US residents to stop vaping of any sort until scientists gain a better understanding of the cause of more than 530 lung illnesses and at least 12 deaths they believe are related to the use of the products.

Once activated, the e-cigarette heats a liquid to turn it into an aerosol, allowing vaping. Unlike conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes do not involve combustion or tobacco. Most liquids in e-cigarettes contain nicotine, propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, as well as artificial flavours. Several other chemical components can be found in the liquids or in the aerosol.

E-cigarettes are also known by other names like mods, pods, vaping pens, sub-ohm, tank devices, electronic nicotine inhaler and vape.

The Quebec health ministry has noted in some of the cases, people had used vaping products that contained cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

"It should be noted that products from illegal or unregulated sources are particularly avoidable, as they carry additional risks," the ministry added. "Vaping devices and liquids should also not be modified or used in a manner not intended by the manufacturer."

Should authorities identify a clearly noxious substance in the products shown to be responsible for severe lung disease, a ban could be enforced, but no decision has been reached. Last week [24 Sep 2019], the state of Massachusetts announced a 4-month ban on vaping products.

[Byline: Aaron Derfel]

https://www.promedmail.org/post/20190928.6699608