The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services said in a press release on Monday that it has confirmed two more cases of illness related to the national outbreak of e-cigarette use, or vaping.
Montana now has five identified cases, including one death.
Health officials said one new case involves a person from Cascade County in their teens who was initially hospitalized over the summer and then again in October.
The second new case involves a person from Lake County in their 30s who was also hospitalized in October.
Both are recovering. One case reported a history of vaping nicotine and THC and the other THC only.
Dr. Greg Holzman, the state medical officer, said it’s not a surprise that more cases have been confirmed.
“We continue to work with local public health on more investigations across the state,” Holzman said. “We appreciate the assistance from local public health, family members and the general public in sharing valuable information and vaping products that are being collected.”
The following information is the latest from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
- This complex investigation spans almost all states, involves over a thousand patients, and a wide variety of brands and substances and e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Case counts continue to increase and new cases are being reported, which makes it more difficult to determine the cause or causes of this outbreak.
- As of October 22, 2019, 1,604 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and 1 U.S. territory.
- Thirty-four deaths have been confirmed in 24 states: Alabama, California (3), Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. More deaths are under investigation.
- The median age of deceased patients was 49 years and ranged from 17 to 75 years (as of October 22, 2019).
- Thirty-four deaths have been confirmed in 24 states: Alabama, California (3), Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (3), Kansas (2), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. More deaths are under investigation.
- Among 1,378 patients with data on sex (as of October 15, 2019):
- 70% of patients are male.
- Among 1,364 patients with data on age (as of October 15, 2019):
- The median age of patients is 24 years and ages range from 13 to 75 years.
- 79% of patients are under 35 years old.
- By age group category:
- 14% of patients are under 18 years old;
- 40% of patients are 18 to 24 years old;
- 25% of patients are 25 to 34 years old; and
- 21% of patients are 35 years or older.
- Among 867 patients with information on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 3 months prior to symptom onset** (as of October 15, 2019):
- About 86% reported using THC-containing products; 34% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.
- About 64% reported using nicotine-containing products; 11% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
