A provincial health officer has confirmed the first probable case of a vaping-related illness in B.C.
“We fully expect there will be more as this is quickly emerging as a significant public health issue,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry. “Vaping is turning back the clock on decades of effective anti-smoking efforts and creating a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine.”
Henry did not provide any further details on the illness or location of the person affected.
On Sept. 19 Henry issued a notice under the Reporting Information Affecting Public Health Regulation that requires physicians to report incidences of patients exhibiting symptoms that meet the national case definition.
This includes patients:
* who report vaping using e-cigarette devices, related products or other means of inhaling a variety of products in the 90 days before symptom onset,
* who have pulmonary infiltrates on X-ray imaging,
* whose illnesses are not attributed to other causes.