KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Kansas health officials have reported the first death in the state due to an ongoing outbreak of serious lung disease related to vaping.
The recent case is at least the sixth death recorded nationwide in the United States, and is at least the fourth reported in a middle aged or older person.
“The Kansas resident was over 50 and had a history of underlying health issues,” said state health officials in a news release, according to The Washington Post.
Kansas officials said they do not have detailed information on what types of products were used by the patient.
Many of the patients suffering from the disease report using vaping or e-cigarette products with liquids that contain cannabinoid products, such as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that produces the high.
US state and federal health authorities are looking at the role of contaminants or counterfeit substances as a likely cause of vaping-related lung illnesses — now up to at least 450 possible cases in 33 states.
New York state officials said they are issuing subpoenas to three companies the department has identified as selling “thickening agents” containing high levels of vitamin E that can be used in black market vaping products that contain THC.
