Abstract

As of December 4, 2019, a total of 2,291 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) (1). State health departments, including the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), are working with their local health departments and with CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and other clinical and public health partners in investigating this outbreak of EVALI. On August 7, 2019, ISDH issued an advisory regarding patients hospitalized in Wisconsin with severe acute lung injury who reported the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products (2); health care providers were requested to notify ISDH of similar cases. On August 8, 2019, ISDH received reports of five similar cases among Indiana residents. Suspected cases EVALI reported to ISDH were investigated further only among patients who required hospitalization. Established case definitions were used to classify cases.* Medical record abstractions and patient interviews were completed using nationally standardized forms to ascertain patient characteristics, medical care received, and product-use behaviors.

Highlights

  • The percentage of Indiana EVALI patients reporting THC use was low compared with that reported for all U.S EVALI patients

  • It is possible that more than one compound or ingredient could be the cause, and evidence is not yet sufficient to rule out contributions of other toxicants to EVALI

  • CDC recommends not using e-cigarette, or vaping, products containing THC, especially those obtained from informal sources such as friends, family, or in-person or online dealers [1]

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Summary

Introduction

During August 8–October 28, 2019, 97 patients in Indiana were hospitalized with confirmed or probable cases of EVALI. Interviews were completed for 29 patients; among these, 69% reported using THC-containing products. What are the implications for public health practice?

Results
Conclusion
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