Massachusetts

3rd Person in Mass. Dies of Vaping-Related Illness

The deceased is described as a man in his 50s from Worcester County

Massachusetts health officials say a third person has died from a vaping-related lung illness in the Bay State.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Wednesday the third resident was a man in his 50s from Worcester County. Officials said the man reported vaping nicotine and THC, an ingredient sometimes found in marijuana.

The announcement follows vaping-related deaths of a woman in her 40s from Middlesex County and a woman in her 60s from Hampshire County, according to health officials.

The DPH began mandating reports of suspected vape-related lung injuries in September and have since received 220 reports from clinicians. As of Nov. 6, 95 cases have been investigated, with 21 confirmed vape-related injuries and 47 probable cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control.

Of the 68 confirmed or probable cases in Massachusetts, 37 of those patients are female and 31 are male. Fifty percent of those patients are under the age of 50.

Massachusetts clinicians are mandated to report to health officials any patients with unexplained shortness of breath who have reported vaping in the last 90 days.

Gov. Charlie Baker declared a pubic health emergency on Sept. 24 in relation to the nationwide outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries and temporarily banned the sale of vape products. 

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