L.A. health officials investigating first known death linked to vaping

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - The county health department is investigating the first known death associated with vaping in Los Angeles County. 

To date there have been 12 reports of vaping related pulmonary injury in Los Angeles County, said Barbara Ferrer with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 

During a press conference Friday health officials said the person who died was an older adult who had chronic underlined health conditions. The gender and exact age of the person was not released. 

The department said 2/3rd of cases they’ve seen involved teenagers and young adults. However, according to Muntu Davis, a health officer with the department, there are several middle age and older adults who are also involved and are experiencing illnesses. 

“We’re not seeing this just grouped into one age group and it is impacting everyone. And for our younger adults they are typically more healthy and don’t have underlined health conditions; so this is really crossing age groups and health,” Davis said Friday during the conference.

He said symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting which can lead to lung disease. 

So far in the U.S. four people have reportedly died due to illnesses sustained from vaping or e-cigarettes. 

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The announcement came on the same day the Centers for Disease Control urged the public to stop using e-cigarettes, on the heels of vaping-related deaths in Indiana, Illinois and Oregon.

 According to the CDC, possible vaping-related illnesses have been reported in more than 25 states.

The CDC released a statement saying: "People who do use e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms -- e.g., cough,
shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever -- and promptly seek medical attention for any health concerns. Regardless of the ongoing investigation, people who use e-cigarette products should not buy these products off the street and should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer. E-cigarette products should never be used by youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.''