State Health Department Confirms First Vaping-Related Death In Georgia

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The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, the state's first vaping-related illness death.

A Georgia man has died of lung illness related to vaping nicotine, the Georgia Department of Public Health said Wednesday. His is one of nine cases the state is investigating.

UPDATE Sept. 26: According to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 805 cases have been reported in 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The CDC has confirmed 12 deaths, in 10 states. Nearly three-quarters of cases are male and 83% are under the age of 35, out of the 373 cases for which the CDC has complete data.

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The state health department previously announced its investigation alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after people across the country started experiencing severe lung illness after vaping.

Gov. Brian Kemp and DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey urge individuals to follow the CDC recommendation that individuals should not use e-cigarettes or other vaping devices while this investigation is ongoing.

RELATED: Government Plans To Ban Flavors Used In E-Cigarettes — Amid Vaping-Related Illnesses, Deaths

As of Sept. 19, the CDC said more than 530 cases of lung injury had been reported from 38 states and one U.S. territory. Seven deaths have been confirmed in six states.

The CDC cautioned users to avoid purchasing products with THC or CBD oils off the street, and said users should not modify or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.

The Georgia man who died had a history of heavy nicotine vaping, but he had no reported history of vaping THC as most of the patients report, according to DPH.

All of the patients, whose ages range from 18 to 68, were hospitalized and developed pneumonia with no known infectious cause.

Symptoms of vaping-associated illness, which worsen over time, include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems or any of these symptoms should seek medical care.