Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DC Health Department Reports District's First Vaping-Related Death

The D.C. Department of Health confirmed the District’s first death related to vaping.

“We’ve had at least three people who have been ill and are demonstrating the types of symptoms related to these vaping deaths,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

She encouraged people to stop vaping.

“Our patients have been similar to patients nationwide varying in age and health condition,” Bowser said.

She said her administration is taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 125 additional cases were reported in the past week, bringing the total to 1,604 nationwide in this year's outbreak. That includes 34 deaths.

Virginia has had 67 illnesses and one death. Maryland has had 38 illnesses.

The outbreak is still happening, but the count of new cases has dropped for three straight weeks. A CDC spokeswoman said reporting delays could be one explanation.

The outbreak appears to have started in March. No single ingredient, electronic cigarette or vaping device has been linked to all the illnesses. Most who got sick said they vaped products containing THC, the high-inducing ingredient in marijuana.

Drug Take Back Day locations will accept vaping devices and liquids on Saturday.

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