Hundreds of people nationwide fall ill from vaping, including one death in L.A. County
LA TimesThe first death related to vaping has been reported in Los Angeles County. Amid a major outbreak of severe lung illness linked to vaping, health officials announced Friday that five people across the country have died from the mysterious disease, including one in Los Angeles County. “Today we’re issuing a warning to all residents about the use of these devices as potentially harmful to proper lung function,” L.A. county public health director Barbara Ferrer said at a news conference on Friday. “Stop vaping now.” Nationwide, patients diagnosed with the mysterious illness reported e-cigarette use prior to becoming sick, said Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, who is overseeing the CDC’s response to the outbreak. Across California, there have been 57 cases of acute lung disease among people with a recent history of vaping since late June, according to state health officials.