Massachusetts

17 More Cases of Vaping-Related Lung Injuries Reported in Massachusetts: Health Officials

Seventeen more cases of vaping-related lung injuries have been reported, bringing the new total reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to 46, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The DPH made the announcement on Wednesday and said it has reported the cases to the CDC. The DPH also unveiled a new online dashboard with details on all vaping cases reported to the CDC which will be updated every week.

Of the 46 cases reported to the CDC, 19 reported vaping only THC, an ingredient found in marijuana. Twelve reported vaping THC and nicotine. Eleven reported vaping nicotine only. Fewer than five reported vaping CBD.

Health officials said of the 46 cases, 27 of those patients were female and 19 were male. Forty of those patients were hospitalized. Twenty-one cases were under the age of 30 and 14 were between 30 and 49. Eleven were age 50 or above.

To date, the DPH has received 184 reports of suspected vaping-related lung injuries, health officials said.

One patient, a woman in her 60s from Hampshire County, was the state's first death from vaping-associated lung injury.

Last month, with the number of suspect cases rising here and nationally, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a public health emergency and a four-month statewide ban on sales of all vaping products in Massachusetts. The sales ban applies to all vaping devices and products, including tobacco and marijuana.

Several stores that sell vaping products have filed suits seeking to overturn Baker's ban but have so far been unsuccessful.

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