First probable case of vaping illness in B.C.

Oct 16, 2019 | 3:32 PM

Health officials are confirming the first probable case of a vaping-related illness in B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are several other investigations underway that may also be confirmed as vaping-related.

“These are the first cases of vaping-related illness in B.C., but we fully expect there will be more as this is quickly emerging as a significant public health issue,” Henry said. “Vaping is turning back the clock on decades of effective anti-smoking efforts and creating a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine.”

The location of the incidents are not being released.

Henry issued an order last month requiring doctors to report any symptoms that meet the national case definition.

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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.

All reports about vaping-related illness from people, health care providers, health authorities and Health Canada will be forwarded to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on behalf of the provincial health officer and will be investigated by public health officials.

Only instances that are probable or confirmed will be reported to the public and media.

Age, sex and location (including community, town or health authority jurisdiction) will remain confidential in every instance as these cases are being reported at a provincial level.

by Pete McIntyre

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