CDC Updates Vaping Illness Data: 2,807 Cases, 68 Deaths

On February 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the latest data on vaping-related lung illness on its official website on the 25th local time. As of February 18, 2020, the cumulative number of patients had reached 2,807, with 68 deaths.
 
After rising sharply in August 2019 and peaking in September, emergency department visits related to vaping-related lung illness continued to decline. Active case reports from state health departments across the country show that related symptoms and cases surged in August 2019, peaked in September 2019, and then gradually but consistently declined afterward.

The previous data update was on February 11, when there were 2,758 cases and 64 deaths. Fourteen days later, the figures had increased.

Laboratory data indicate that vitamin E acetate—an additive in some THC-containing recreational cannabis or vaping products—is strongly linked to the outbreak of vaping-related lung illness.