NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Health is now reporting six cases of suspected
serious respiratory disease among people who use electronic cigarettes or other vaping
devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug
Administration are investigating a cluster of severe pulmonary disease among people who use
e-cigarettes or vape, with 215 cases reported to date in 25 states.
‘’Tennessee health care providers are reporting to us any patients they treat for severe
respiratory symptoms who report vaping in the weeks before they got sick,‘’ said TDH State
Epidemiologist Tim Jones, MD. ‘’We’re investigating to look for common factors and collect
information on specific components or brands of vaping products that may be the source of
the illness.‘’
Patients across the country associated with this outbreak have had symptoms including cough,
shortness of breath and/or chest pain, growing worse over a period of days or weeks before
admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or
diarrhea. In many but not all cases, patients have acknowledged recent use of
tetrahydrocannabinol or THC-containing e-cigarette products. Most of the cases are among
adolescents and young adults.
TDH is providing information about this investigation and the number of Tennessee patients
associated with this outbreak online at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/vaping-illness.html. This page
will be updated weekly by 3:30 p.m. Central time each Thursday with any additional cases
reported.
Electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices are not approved by the FDA for smoking
cessation. Smokers who are attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments
including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco
products including e-cigarettes, contact your health care provider, your local health department
or the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.tnquitline.org/.
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