The Minnesota Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory has found vitamin E acetate in illicit vaping products associated with a recent outbreak of severe lung injury cases in the state.
Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, has been strongly linked to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreaks, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Since June 1, Minnesota has had 12 lung-injury cases in patient’s ages 14- to 46. These cases occurred in June and July, with a median age of 18.5 years. All 12 cases resulted in hospitalizations, with five requiring intensive care, including being placed on ventilators. All patients have recovered or are recovering.
Two Minnesota patients submitted a total of 11 products that included some labeled Dank, Lion’s Breath and KRT. Vitamin E acetate was found in all 11 products tested. Initial diagnosis was made more difficult because the symptoms of the disease can be similar to those of COVID- 19.
In late July, the Minnesota Department of Health sent an alert to health care providers in response to reports of suspected cases in Minnesota of severe lung injuries associated with vaping. Vaping-associated lung injury patients typically seek care for symptoms similar to severe COVID-19 infection, including cough and shortness of breath. However, testing of these patients found the patients were not infected with COVID-19.
The patients said they had a history of vaping. Most reported vaping THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Some reported using nicotine based products.
Clinical presentation for EVALI includes shortness of breath, cough, fever, malaise and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea). Other symptoms reported by some patients included headache, dizziness and chest pain.
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