HELENA — The development of more cases of illness caused by vaping continues, with state health officials reporting two additional cases that have been diagnosed this week.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is continuing to track the emerging problem, which they say is caused by improper use of e-cigarettes in vaping.
Doctors believes the illness is tied to smoking other products in the devices, such as those containing THC.
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DPHHS officials say the two latest cases involve individuals from Cascade County who had a prior history of vaping. The state is still checking to see what products were used, but say one patient was in their teens and the other in their 20s.
One had symptoms that required a trip to the hospital in September. The second in August was treated as an outpatient. Symptoms of the illness include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue as well as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
State health officials are continuing to warn e-cigarettes should never be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women or adults who aren't using tobacco products.
DPHHS continues to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local public health as this ongoing national investigation continues.
With the fast pace of the ongoing outbreak, the latest information and recommendations are available on the CDC website.The advice is to seek medical help if you have those symptoms and vape.
