RICHMOND – The Department of Health confirmed Tuesday that a Virginia resident has died in the outbreak of severe lung injury associated with e-cigarette use or vaping.
This death was reported by Cone Health in Greensboro, N.C. on September 26.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the first death of a Virginia resident related to this outbreak. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver.
The decedent was an adult from the southwest region.
As of September 30, in Virginia, there have been 31 lung injury cases, including the death.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 805 cases from 46 states and one U.S. territory, as of September 24.
Twelve other deaths have been confirmed in 10 states.
The cause of this outbreak is unknown.
VDH recommends that people who are concerned about lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use or vaping refrain from using e-cigarette products.
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, VDH says.
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