In our Health Alert tonight, another person has died from a vaping-related lung injury, making this Michigan’s second death in the multi-state vaping outbreak . Our Chief Health Editor Dr. Partha Nandi joins us now with the details. Doc, what do we know about this case?
Dr. Nandi: We don’t know much. And that’s because of confidentiality reasons. But what we do know is that this person was an adult male. And he passed away yesterday with lung disease and injuries associated with vaping. So this unfortunate news will raise the death toll, which the CDC’s latest report had at 47 and it did not include the recent death here in Michigan.
Question: How widespread is this vaping-related illness in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported 56 confirmed and probable vaping-related lung injury cases here in Michigan. All of these were reported in the lower peninsula. Unfortunately, many of these folks had to be hospitalized for severe respiratory illness. And it appears that this illness doesn’t appear to care about age, as those sickened in Michigan are anywhere between the ages of 15 and 67 years old.
Question: Now the CDC has identified Vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern, is anything being done here in MI to test for it?
Yes, the MRA, which stands for the Marijuana Regulatory Agency has recently announced emergency rules. And twice a month processing facilities will be inspected to make sure manufacturing standards are being followed. The MRA will also require licensed facilities to test for Vitamin E acetate. But it’s important to point out that even though Vitamin E acetate has been called “a very strong culprit” by the CDC, it is possible that other ingredients could be contributing to the lung illness or even be the cause. So, I highly recommend that you stop using e-cigarette or vaping products until we know more about what is causing this devastating lung illness outbreak. But, if you decide to continue to use the products please do seek immediate medical attention if symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, fever and vomiting develop.
Do you suffer from pain that just won’t go away? Do you wish you could live a life pain-free? If the answer is yes, then join Dr. Nandi, MD this coming Sunday for his "Please Make My Pain Go Away" episode. You’ll hear from three guests who faced their own devastating health crisis and how each healed themselves using different techniques. You’ll also learn what quantum neurology is and how it can help restore health. Plus, local MD Dr. Schubiner from Providence Hospital joins Dr. Nandi to discuss brain-generated pain and how to overcome it. Tune in this Sunday, December 1st at 1:30 AM. *Please note this is technically Monday as it's after midnight.
