SC health officials report first death from vape-related illness
A South Carolina resident has died as part of a nationwide outbreak of illness related to vape or e-cigarette usage, according to a statement from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The person, who was not identified in Friday’s statement, was a resident of the Upstate, over 65 years old, according to the statement.
“Our state health officials continue to work with national and local partners to further investigate this ongoing public health matter,” said Virginie Daguise, the Director of the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention at the state health department.
As of late November, 35 cases of the vaping illness — which has been linked to vitamin E acetate in vape products containing THC, a chemical found in marijuana — have been identified in South Carolina. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified more than 2,200 cases and 48 deaths linked to the illness as of Dec. 3.
Though a possible cause of the vape-related illness has been identified, state health department officials still recommend that vape owners stop their usage.
Symptoms of the illness include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills or weight loss.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 3:31 PM.
