ST. PAUL (KMHL) – State Health officials are reporting Minnesota’s first death linked to vaping.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Health, the first death was in a 65-year-old patient who died in August after the patient was found to have a lung injury associated with vaping illicit THC products.
“One death from this outbreak is one too many,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcom. “We are working with our partners around the state and the nation to find out everything we can as quickly as we can to prevent additional illnesses and deaths.”
The department says to date; Minnesota has 17 patients who have been confirmed to have serious lung injury linked to vaping and another 15 potential cases that are under investigation.
Health officials say of the cases who have been interviewed, all have reported vaping illicit THC products.
Officials warn that people should avoid vaping illicit THC products as the available evidence shows many of the injury cases had exposure to such products. Minnesotans who are dealing with the injury are experiencing shortness of breath, fever, cough, vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms reported by some patients include headache, dizziness and chest pain.
