Across the state, 15 people have been hospitalized due to a vaping-related illness, the Ohio Department of Health said.
A Butler County resident is among the five females and 10 males who have been hospitalized. Three of the cases of severe pulmonary illness involve individuals who range in age from 16 to 26, including two in Summit County and one in Portage County.
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Along with these confirmed Ohio hospitalizations, at least 400 cases of breathing illnesses in people who used vaping products have been reported in 33 states across the country, according to U.S. health officials.
ODH along with local health departments continue to investigate reports of severe lung disease among people who reported recent vaping.
There are currently no known links to a specific type of product, but vaping products contain many substances that may include nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic cannabinoids, or a combination.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these recommendations about vaping:
- Refraining from using e-cigarettes or vaping products if there are concerns about health risks
- Vaping and tobacco products should not be used by youth or pregnant women
- Do not buy vaping products off the street
- Do not modify e-cigarettes or vaping products with any other substances that are not intended by the manufacturer
- Monitor health symptoms if vaping products are used
For additional resources, visit the CDC website here.