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Oregon Vaping Illness Investigation

Individual cases of vaping-associated lung injury (VALI) are no longer reportable in Oregon. If an epidemiologically-related cluster of vaping-associated lung injuries is identified, please call 971-673-1111 to speak with the epidemiologist on call.

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

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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.


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. 

 Media contact

OHA External Relations

phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us