Jefferson County Confirms First Vaping Related Illness
Jefferson County, MO has one confirmed case of vaping related illness. The confirmed case is male, aged 15-24, officially diagnosed with ‘vaping associated pulmonary injury’ on September 12, 2019.
As of September 20, there were 22 reports of vaping related illness in Missouri. Of those 22, seven have been confirmed. In August, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a health advisory warning of severe lung disease associated with vaping.
Jefferson County Health Department will continue to work with state and community partners to monitor vaping illness within the county. This information will guide our efforts to provide awareness and education on the dangers of vaping. “We are taking a proactive approach working with school districts to implement education programs and awareness on the dangers of vaping to students, staff, and families,” states Jaclyn Brown, Community Services Manager.
“We continue to be concerned with the quick adoption of vaping among residents. Contrary to popular belief, vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking. We are just now beginning to see significant risks associated with the long-term impacts of vaping,” states Kelley Vollmar, Director. Jefferson County Health Department recommend individuals utilizing vaping devices who experience symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
For more information about vaping, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/.