Over 800 cases of vaping illnesses reported to CDC

More than 800 cases of a vaping-related lung illnesses, including 12 deaths, have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The CDC said 805 cases were reported by 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands as of Tuesday. 

That is an increase of 275 reports since last week. 

The CDC is still investigating the illnesses and hasn’t released any more information about the causes.{mosads}

It also hasn’t identified a brand, product or substance that has been present in all cases. 

The CDC, though, said last week that most patients had reported vaping THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, while some vaped nicotine. Some patients also vaped both substances.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, told Congress this week it hasn’t ruled out any products or substances that could be causing the illnesses. 

The Food and Drug Administration and state health departments have found vitamin E acetate in the THC vaping products. 

Vitamin E acetate, which is often used in lotions or dietary supplements, can be harmful if inhaled into the lungs. 

However, the FDA says it doesn’t have enough data to conclude that vitamin E acetate is the cause of the illnesses. 

Some of the patients that have become sick have been hospitalized with lipoid pneumonia, a rare form of pneumonia that is caused by fat particles entering the lungs.