CDC confirms 26 deaths from vaping-related lung illness

Twenty-six people have died from the vaping-related illnesses that are sweeping the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday. 

The deaths were confirmed in 21 states, including three in California, two in Georgia and two in Kansas.

In all, 1,299 confirmed or probable lung injury cases related to vaping have been reported to the CDC so far, an increase of 219 cases from figures released last week.

Of the 573 patients who provided information about what products they had used, 76 percent reported vaping THC, with or without nicotine-containing products. {mosads}

Thirty-two percent said they vaped THC exclusively, while 13 percent said they only vaped nicotine products.

The CDC says it still doesn’t know the cause of the illnesses, and no brand or substance has been linked to all of the studied cases.

Federal health officials warn it may not be THC or nicotine that is making people sick, but any number of the chemicals or additives that are found in vaping liquids, particularly those bought off the street. 

A study conducted last month in Illinois and Wisconsin showed most patients there became sick after vaping THC products sold under the brand name “Dank Vapes,” which does not appear to be a legitimate manufacturer.