This story originally ran in NACCHO’s Preparedness Brief

In response to the multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette product use (e.g., devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with other federal, state, and local partners are involved in an on-going investigation. CDC has released a media advisory concerning the situation, and the Lung Injury Response Website has various available resources to educate the public, healthcare providers, and state and local health departments on key facts and recommendations.

At this time, 805 cases of lung injury have been reported from 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 10 states have reported 12 confirmed deaths. All reported cases have been linked to a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping.

Healthcare providers are urged to support response efforts by continuing to report both suspected and confirmed cases of lung injury to their state or local health department. Specimen collection, storage, and submission guidance is available. Collaboration with states, local health departments, and additional relevant partners is also critical. State public health officials should contact CDC at [email protected] regarding possible cases of e-cigarette- or vaping-associated lung injury.

For information on technical assistance with epidemiologic investigation, laboratory testing, and/or data collection tools, please contact CDC at [email protected]. Questions on the submission of non-tissue samples should be directed to [email protected].

On September 25, 2019, NACCHO sent a letter to Congress highlighting the role of local health departments in addressing youth use of e-cigarettes and the need for action to curb youth use of these products. The letter further explained how NACCHO supports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s plan to ban flavored e-cigarettes.

NACCHO has a liaison officer within the CDC Emergency Operations Center and is participating in national calls. For any questions, comments, and/or technical resource needs, please contact the NACCHO Preparedness Program at [email protected].