First death from e-cigarettes due to 'mysterious disease' affecting the respiratory system

U.S. officials have declared the first e-cigarette deaths in the United States, caused by a serious respiratory disease.

The announcement comes at a time when a mysterious lung disease linked to e-cigarette smoking has spread, and experts have launched an extensive investigation into the harms of this type of smoking.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed about 193 'probable cases' of the disease in 22 U.S. states.

Experts at these centres said these cases involve smoking e-cigarettes containing THC, the main active compound in cannabis.

These injuries were reported over a two-month period from June 28 to August 20.

Dr. Jennifer Leiden, chief medical officer and epidemiologist in Illinois, said the person who died 'was hospitalized from an unknown illness after reporting smoking e-cigarettes'.

CDC Director Robert Redfield said: 'We are saddened by the death of the first case of acute lung disease outbreaks among e-cigarette smokers or tobacco fumigants.'


The cause of the mysterious disease has not been determined, but almost all infected cases are somehow associated with e-cigarette smoking.

'In many cases, patients have recently admitted to using the product containing THC', according to Dr. Elena Arias, CDC's noncommunicable disease control officer.

Symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue, as well as some cases of vomiting and diarrhea, appeared in patients. There is no evidence that the cause of infection is caused by a virus or bacteria.

The situation remains a little unclear at present.

"It's not yet clear if these are different diseases with similar symptoms, or if the causes are all the same," said Dr Elena.

Twenty-two cases were recorded in Illinois, with patients aged 17 to 38.

The disease has been reported in more than 20 states, the majority of which are in the central and northeastern United States, from Minnesota to North Carolina, although cases have also been reported in California, Texas and New Mexico.

Officials requested laboratory analysis of samples of liquids used in e-cigarettes to identify any harmful compounds.

Liquid electronic cigarette packaging containing THC is known to exist on the 'black market', which are legally sold through medical marijuana sales centers in some states.

Internet users warned of the dangers of counterfeit packages that were not controlled by regulators.