Health researchers in the USA are currently investigating a mysterious lung disease that is believed to be linked with vaping and e-cigarettes.
A survey found that around 120 cases of the mysterious lung disease were found in 15 states of the country, in which most of the affected are young adults and teenagers.
Most of the people in the case have been hospitalized and some are in intensive care.
Some of the people are relying on ventilators.
Experts are still to diagnose the exact illness.
Authorities said that they do not know if the patients can fully recover from the mysterious disease.
A report that was published by CNN states that 15 cases have been confirmed in Wisconsin, 10 in Illinois, and 19 cases in California.
New Jersey and Indiana have 9 cases.
Dr. Howard Zucker, the health commissioner for New York, released a statement about the incident.
Dr. Zucker said, “While many people consider vaping to be a less dangerous alternative to smoking cigarettes, it is not risk-free. These latest reports of pulmonary disease in people using vaping products in New York and other states are proof that more study is needed on the long-term health effects of these products.”
Gregory Conley, the president of the American Vaping Association, said, “It appears much more likely that the products causing lung damage are amateur-made street vapes containing THC or illegal drugs, not nicotine.”
The American Vaping Association advocates vaping products.
In the past month, teenagers presented viral type infections, bacterial pneumonia, coughing, fever, abdominal discomfort, and shortness of breath.
Emily Chapman, chief medical officer at Children’s Minnesota, said that even with appropriate treatment, which includes oxygen support and antibiotics, the health of some young adults deteriorated.
Chapman said that some even suffered respiratory failure and had to be put on ventilators.