Oregon Vaping Illness Investigation

Oregon Health Authority has participated in the investigation of a nationwide outbreak of respiratory illnesses associated with use of vaping devices.

Sporadic cases of vaping-associated lung injury (VALI) are no longer reportable in Oregon; however, please call 971-673-1111 when reporting any cluster of “non-reportable” diseases, such as VALI.

Oregon Cases

Updated March 12, 2020

In Oregon, 23 cases have been reported, 2 of which were fatal. Oregon cases include a mix of cannabis-only vaping, nicotine-only vaping and a combination of both.

Demographic Information

Through December 31, 2019

COUNTY	Number	Percent
Coos	2	9.1%
Douglas	1	4.5%
Hood River	1	4.5%
Jackson	4	18.2%
Lane	4	18.2%
Linn	3	13.6%
Multnomah	2	9.1%
Wasco	1	4.5%
Washington	4	18.2%
Total	22	100%

AGE	Number	Percent
17 or younger	2	9.1%
18 to 24	3	13.6%
25 to 34	7	31.8%
35 to 54	5	22.7%
55 to 74	5	22.7%
Total	22	100%
Median age: 34

SEX	Number	Percent
Female	12	54.5%
Male	10	45.5%
Total	22	100%

Resources

The OHA Public Health Division and local public health departments are urging clinicians to be on alert for signs of severe respiratory illness among individuals who report vaping or e-cigarette use.

Resources

The OHA Public Health Division and clinicians are urging local public health departments to be on alert for signs of severe respiratory illness among individuals who report vaping or e-cigarette use.

CDC’s most up-to-date, publicly available information
What CDC recommends
E-cigarette, or Vaping, Products Visual Dictionary
For the latest CDC press materials, visit CDC’s newsroom.

MMWR Reports

Syndromic Surveillance for E-Cigarette, or Vaping,Product Use–Associated Lung Injury

Syndromic data on emergency department (ED) visits suggest that the e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak began in June 2019. Cases have been declining since a peak in September.
These data align with recently released CDC national epidemiologic data among EVALI patients suggesting that the number of new hospitalized EVALI cases has also been declining since a peak in September.
While ED visits associated with possible EVALI have declined, they have not returned to levels before June 2019 and EVALI remains a concern.

Evaluation of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Patients in an Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury — 10 state, August-October 2019.

Recent CDC laboratory testing of biologic samples from 29 patients with EVALI submitted to CDC from 10 states found vitamin E acetate in all of the BAL fluid samples. THC was identified in 82% of the samples and nicotine was identified in 62% of the samples.
CDC tested for a wide range of substances found in e-cigarette, or vaping, products, including plant oils, petroleum distillates like mineral oil, medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil), and terpenes, which are compounds found in or added to THC products. No other chemicals were detected.
These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate within the lungs at the primary site of injury. This is the first time we have detected a potential chemical of concern in biologic samples from patients with EVALI.
Our findings still do not rule out other possible compounds or ingredients that may be contributing to these lung injuries.
This work complements the ongoing work of FDA and some state public health laboratories to characterize e-liquid exposures. It also highlights the extensive collaboration between federal, state, and local partners.