CDC Vaping Updates. Average age of death? 53. Vape Products Named.

CDC has analyzed national data on use of THC-containing product brands by EVALI patients. (EVALI refers to national outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury).

• Overall, 152 different THC-containing product brands were reported by EVALI patients.
• Dank Vapes, a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin, was the most commonly reported product brand used by patients nationwide, although there are regional differences. While Dank Vapes was most commonly reported in the Northeast and South, TKO and Smart Cart brands were more commonly reported by patients in the West and Rove was more common in the Midwest.
• The data further supports that EVALI is associated with THC-containing products and that it is not likely associated with a single THC-containing product brand.

CDC recommends that people should not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers. In addition, people should not add any substances to e-cigarette or vaping products that are not intended by the manufacturer, including products purchased through retail establishments.

THC-containing products continue to be the most commonly reported e-cigarettes, or vaping, products used by EVALI patients, and it appears that vitamin E acetate is associated with EVALI. However, many substances and product sources are being investigated, and there might be more than one cause. Therefore, while the investigation continues, persons should consider refraining from the use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

CDC will continue to update guidance, as appropriate, as new data become available from this complex outbreak.

• This complex investigation spans almost all states, involves over 2,000 patients, and a wide variety of brands, substances, and e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
• As of December 3, 2019, a total of 2,291 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Forty-eight deaths have been confirmed in 25 states and the District of Columbia (as of December 3, 2019):
  • Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia
  • The median age of deceased patients was 52 years and ranged from 17 through 75 years (as of December 3, 2019).
  • More deaths are under investigation.
• The persistent decline in number of cases reported each week since mid-September, coupled with the declining percentage of recent cases reported weekly, suggest that the outbreak may have peaked around September 15. However, states continue to report new cases, including deaths, to CDC on a weekly basis.
• Among cases of hospitalized EVALI patients reported to CDC with available data (as of December 3, 2019):
  • 67% were male (among 2,155 patients with data on sex)
  • 78% were under 35 years old, with a median age of 24 years and age range from 13 to 77 years (among 2,159 patients with data on age)
  • By age group category:
    • 16% of patients were under 18 years old;
    • 38% of patients were 18 to 24 years old;
    • 24% of patients were 25 to 34 years old; and
    • 23% of patients were 35 years or older.
• 1,782 hospitalized patients had complete information* on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 3 months prior to symptom onset, of whom (as of December 3, 2019):
  • 80% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.
  • 54% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
  • 12% reported using cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products; 1% reported exclusive use of cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products.
  • 40% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.
  • 5% reported no THC-, nicotine-, or CBD-containing product use.
• Among hospitalized EVALI patients who reported using THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping product brands:
  • The most commonly reported product brand included Dank vapes (56%), followed by TKO (15%), Smart Cart (13%), and Rove (12%). However, regional difference in THC-containing product use were noted.

NOTE: As we go to publication, the state of Massachusetts has announced that 6 confirmed cases of vaping illnesses have come from licensed marijuana facilities.