Science Lion Byte: Vaping Illness Outbreak Update – Jan. 31, 2020

***Science Lion Media will pause coverage on the vaping outbreak as the public health issue has plateaued and appears to be reaching a resolution. Thank you for heeding the advice of health professionals and communicators to protect yourselves and others from unnecessary harm***

Please refer to our previous publication for a comprehensive background of the vaping illness outbreak in the United States.

Here is a summary of the latest vaping-related lung illness information released by the CDC, as of January 21, 2019 at 1pm EST:

• The CDC, as of December 4, 2019, has elected to only report hospitalized EVALI cases and related-deaths, regardless of hospitalization status. Non-hospitalized cases have been removed from previously reported case counts.                     

• The number of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) cases has been reported to reach 2,711 nationwide. With California, Illinois, and Texas leading the nation in confirmed EVALI cases.

• EVALI cases have now been reported in all 50 states of the United States, after Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services reported their first case of vaping-related lung injury on December 3, 2019. The District of Columbia (D.C.), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases, as well.

• There have now been 60 confirmed deaths related to EVALI, with Texas reporting the youngest EVALI-related death of a 15 year-old.

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As of the most recent data collected from January 14, 2019, EVALI patient statistics are as follows:

• Regarding hospitalization status, 95% of EVALI patients have been hospitalized; 5% have not.

• 66% of patients are reported to be male.

• The median age of patients is 24 years old, with an age range between 13 and 85 years old.

• The median age of the deceased patients is 51 years old, with an age range between 15 and 75 years old.

• Breakdown of patients by age group:
  – 15% of patients were under 18 years old
  – 37% were 18 to 24 years old
  – 24% were 25 to 34 years old
  – 24% were 35 years or older

• 

There have been 2,711 confirmed EVALI cases and 60 EVALI-related deaths reported in the United States, continuing a steady, weekly rise in case numbers, nationwide.

 

 

The most complete information of patient product use, 3 months prior to symptom onset, reflects the following:

• 82% reported using THC-containing products; 33% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.

• 57% reported using nicotine-containing products; 14% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

• Younger EVALI patients (13-17 years of age) were significantly more likely to acquire THC-containing vape products only from informal sources (94%), versus 62% of older patients, 45 years of age and older.

• Regarding nicotine-containing vape products, 42% of younger EVALI patients (13-17 years of age) acquired these products only from informal sources, versus 12% of older patients, 45 years of age and older.

Overall, 152 different THC-containing product brands were reported by EVALI patients, and of those products reported, *Dank Vapes was the most commonly reported product brand used by patients nationwide, although there are regional differences. This supports the premise that THC-containing products are heavily contributing to the EVALI outbreak, and that no one brand is solely responsible. Overall, these unregulated and off-branded products, in addition to their unconventional use, are suspected of undergirding the spread of this lung illness outbreak.

* Dank Vapes is a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin.

 

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On January 2, 2020, the FDA implemented a partial ban on vaping in the US, focused on ceasing the manufacture of unauthorized flavors which may appeal to under-age individuals. Additionally, President Trump has signed into law an amendment which nationally raises the smoking age from 18 to 21 years old.

Looking beyond the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has officially issued a ban on e-cigarettes, after the country reported its first confirmed EVALI case in a 16 year-old girl, on November 15, 2019.

The Philippines join roughly 30 other countries that have moved to issue a ban on e-cigarette products, including Brazil, India and Singapore. Indonesia is now strongly considering following suit of the Philippines by possibly issuing their own vaping ban to preempt the surfacing of EVALI cases in its country.

Canada is also experiencing an uptick in vaping cases with its 17th official EVALI case reported in the country, as of January 21, 2020.

 

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CDC Reports First U.S. Case of Human-to-Human Transmission of 2019 Novel (Wuhan) Coronavirus

On January 19, 2020, an initial reported outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus manifested in the city of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province of China. Unfortunately, upwards of ten thousand cases of infection have been reported, with the death toll eclipsing 200, as of January 30, 2020.

As fears began to swell regarding the potential global implications of the virus, on the afternoon of January 30, the director of the World Health Organization officially declared a global emergency for the spreading Coronavirus, which had now begun leaking through national borders, worldwide, as travelers returned from the Chinese outbreak epicenter.

Although the first case of Coronavirus infection in the United States occurred on January 21 in the state of Washington, around 12:30pm ET on January 30, the CDC reported the first United States case of human-to-human transmission of the virus in Chicago, Illinois. As of that day, there have been 6 confirmed cases of infection and 92 unconfirmed, as they await the results of their screening.

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Although, there is heightened anxiety at this time surrounding the potential implications of the spreading virus, there is no need for panic. Rather, take the precautions that you would normally apply to protecting yourself from the spread of germs, and keep your immune system in optimum shape by eating nutritious foods, while limiting (the best you can) exposure to stressful environmental conditions.

For more details about this first case of transmission and the most recent commentary on the virus, click the CDC link below. Stay tuned for the latest information from Science Lion Media, as we monitor the progression of the global Coronavirus outbreak.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0130-coronavirus-spread.html

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Science Lion Byte: Vaping Illness Outbreak Update – Jan. 9, 2020

Please refer to our previous publication for a comprehensive background of the vaping illness outbreak in the United States.

Here is a summary of the latest vaping-related lung illness data released by the CDC, as of January 9, 2019 at 1pm EST:

• The CDC, as of December 4, 2019, has elected to only report hospitalized EVALI cases and related-deaths, regardless of hospitalization status. Non-hospitalized cases have been removed from previously reported case counts.                     

• The number of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) cases has been reported to reach 2,602 nationwide. With California, Illinois, and Texas leading the nation in confirmed EVALI cases.

• EVALI cases have now been reported in all 50 states of the United States, after Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services reported their first case of vaping-related lung injury on December 3, 2019. The District of Columbia (D.C.), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases, as well.

• There have now been 57 confirmed deaths related to EVALI. Among states reporting the most EVALI-related deaths are Illinois (5), Indiana (5), and California (4), with Texas reporting the youngest EVALI-related death of a 15 year-old, today.

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As of the most recent data collected from December 3, 2019, EVALI patient statistics are as follows:

• Regarding hospitalization status, 95% of EVALI patients have been hospitalized; 5% have not.

• 67% of patients are reported to be male.

• Breakdown of patients by age group:
  – 16% of patients were under 18 years old
  – 38% were 18 to 24 years old
  – 24% were 25 to 34 years old
  – 23% were 35 years or older

• 

There have been 2,602 confirmed EVALI cases and 57 EVALI-related deaths reported in the United States, continuing a steady, weekly rise in case numbers, nationwide.

 

 

The most complete information of patient product use, 3 months prior to symptom onset, reflects the following:

• 80% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.

• 54% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

• 40% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.

• 5% reported no THC- or nicotine-containing product use.

Overall, 152 different THC-containing product brands were reported by EVALI patients, and of those products reported, *Dank Vapes was the most commonly reported product brand used by patients nationwide, although there are regional differences. This supports the premise that THC-containing products are heavily contributing to the EVALI outbreak, and that no one brand is solely responsible. Overall, these unregulated and off-branded products, in addition to their unconventional use, are suspected of undergirding the spread of this lung illness outbreak.

* Dank Vapes is a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin.

 

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On January 2, 2020, the FDA implemented a partial ban on vaping in the US, focused on ceasing the manufacture of unauthorized flavors which may appeal to under-age individuals. Additionally, President Trump has signed into law an amendment which nationally raises the smoking age from 18 to 21 years old.

Looking beyond the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has officially issued a ban on e-cigarettes, after the country reported its first confirmed EVALI case in a 16 year-old girl, on November 15, 2019.

The Philippines join roughly 30 other countries that have moved to issue a ban on e-cigarette products, including Brazil, India and Singapore. Indonesia is now strongly considering following suit of the Philippines by possibly issuing their own vaping ban to preempt the surfacing of EVALI cases in its country.

Canada is also experiencing an uptick in vaping cases with its 15th official EVALI case reported in the country, as of January 2, 2020.

Take care and stay tuned for the next Science Lion Byte!

 

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Science Lion Byte: Vaping Illness Outbreak Update – Dec. 13, 2019

Please refer to our previous publication for a comprehensive background of the vaping illness outbreak in the United States.

Here is a summary of the latest vaping-related lung illness data released by the CDC, as of December 12, 2019 at 1pm EST:

• As of December 4, 2019, CDC will only report hospitalized EVALI cases and EVALI deaths regardless of hospitalization status.                     

• The number of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) cases has been reported to reach 2,409 nationwide, rising from 2,291 last week. California, Illinois, and Texas lead the nation in confirmed EVALI cases.

• EVALI cases have now been reported in all 50 states of the United States, after Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services reported their first case of vaping-related lung injury on December 3, 2019. The District of Columbia (D.C.), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases, as well.

• There have now been 52 confirmed deaths related to EVALI, rising from 48 last week. States reporting the most EVALI-related deaths are Illinois (5), Indiana (5), and California (4).

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As of December 3, 2019, EVALI patient statistics are as follows:

• Regarding hospitalization status, 95% of EVALI patients have been hospitalized; 5% have not.

• 67% of patients are reported to be male.

• Breakdown of patients by age group:
  – 16% of patients were under 18 years old
  – 38% were 18 to 24 years old
  – 24% were 25 to 34 years old
  – 23% were 35 years or older

• 

There have been 2,409 confirmed EVALI cases and 52 EVALI-related deaths reported in the United States, continuing a steady, weekly rise in case numbers, nationwide.

 

 

The most complete information of patient product use, 3 months prior to symptom onset, reflects the following:

• 82% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.

• 62% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

• 48% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.

• 4% reported no THC- or nicotine-containing product use.

Overall, 152 different THC-containing product brands were reported by EVALI patients, and of those products reported, *Dank Vapes was the most commonly reported product brand used by patients nationwide, although there are regional differences. This supports the premise that THC-containing products are heavily contributing to the EVALI outbreak, and that no one brand is solely responsible.

* Dank Vapes is a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin.

 

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Looking beyond the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has officially issued a ban on e-cigarettes, after the country reported its first confirmed EVALI case in a 16 year-old girl, on November 15, 2019.

The Philippines join roughly 30 other countries that have moved to issue a ban on e-cigarette products, including Brazil, India and Singapore. Indonesia is now strongly considering following suit of the Philippines by possibly issuing their own vaping ban to preempt the surfacing of EVALI cases in its country. President Trump of the United States is still contemplating an executive order to ban e-cigarettes; in particular, flavored e-cigarette products. In the meantime, a vaping bill which is currently being mulled over in congress, would strengthen restrictions against tobacco sales to youths and ban e-cigarette flavorings; this bill will be voted on early next year.

Canada is also experiencing an uptick in vaping cases with its 14th official EVALI case reported in the country, as of December 10, 2019.

Take care and stay tuned for the next Science Lion Byte!

 

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Science Lion Byte: Vaping Illness Outbreak Update – Dec. 6, 2019

Please refer to our previous publication for a comprehensive background of the vaping illness outbreak in the United States.

Here is a summary of the latest vaping-related lung illness data released by the CDC, as of December 5, 2019 at 1pm EST:

• As of December 4, 2019, CDC will only report hospitalized EVALI cases and EVALI deaths regardless of hospitalization status. As a result, the CDC removed 175 non-hospitalized cases from previously reported national cases.                                                                   
• The number of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) cases has been reported to reach 2,291 nationwide, rising from 2,116 last week. California, Illinois, and Texas lead the nation in confirmed EVALI cases.

• EVALI cases have now been reported in all 50 states of the United States, after Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services reported their first case of vaping-related lung injury on December 3, 2019. The District of Columbia (D.C.), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases, as well.

• There have now been 48 confirmed deaths related to EVALI, rising from 47 last week. States reporting the most EVALI-related deaths are Illinois (5), California (4), and Indiana (4).

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As of the most recent data set, EVALI patient statistics are as follows:

• Regarding hospitalization status, 95% of EVALI patients have been hospitalized; 5% have not.

• 68% of patients are reported to be male.

• Breakdown of patients by age group:
  – 15% of patients were under 18 years old
  – 38% were 18 to 24 years old
  – 24% were 25 to 34 years old
  – 23% were 35 years or older

• 

There have been 2,291 confirmed EVALI cases and 48 EVALI-related deaths reported in the United States, continuing a steady, weekly rise in case numbers, nationwide.

 

 

The most complete information of patient product use, 3 months prior to symptom onset, reflects the following:

• 83% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.

• 61% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

• 48% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.

• 4% reported no THC- or nicotine-containing product use.

 

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Looking beyond the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has officially issued a ban on e-cigarettes, after the country reported its first confirmed EVALI case in a 16 year-old girl, on November 15, 2019.

The Philippines join roughly 30 other countries that have moved to issue a ban on e-cigarette products, including Brazil, India and Singapore. Indonesia is now strongly considering following suit of the Philippines by possibly issuing their own vaping ban to preempt the surfacing of EVALI cases in its country. President Trump of the United States is still contemplating an executive order to ban e-cigarettes; in particular, flavored e-cigarette products.

Canada has also reported that they now have 13 official EVALI cases in its country with fears of more cases popping up in the future.

Take care and stay tuned for the next Science Lion Byte!

 

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Science Lion Byte: Vaping Illness Outbreak Update – Nov. 21, 2019

Please refer to our previous publication for a comprehensive background of the vaping illness outbreak in the United States.

Here is a summary of the latest vaping-related lung illness data released by the CDC, as of November 21, 2019 at 1pm EST:

• The number of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) cases has been reported to reach 2,290 nationwide, rising from 2,172 last week. California, Illinois, and Texas lead the nation in confirmed EVALI cases.

• EVALI cases have now been reported in all of the United States, with the exception of Alaska. The District of Columbia (D.C.), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases, as well.

• There have now been 47 confirmed deaths related to EVALI, rising from 42 last week. States reporting the most EVALI-related deaths are Illinois (5), California (4), and Indiana (4).

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As of the most recent data set, EVALI patient statistics are as follows:

• Regarding hospitalization status, 95% of EVALI patients have been hospitalized; 5% have not.

• 68% of patients are reported to be male.

• Breakdown of patients by age group:
  – 15% of patients were under 18 years old
  – 38% were 18 to 24 years old
  – 24% were 25 to 34 years old
  – 23% were 35 years or older
  

• 

There have been 2,290 confirmed EVALI cases and 47 EVALI-related deaths reported in the United States, continuing a steady, weekly rise in case numbers, nationwide.

The most complete information of patient product use, 3 months prior to symptom onset, reflects the following:

• 83% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.

• 61% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.

• 48% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.

• 4% reported no THC- or nicotine-containing product use.

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Looking beyond the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines plans to issue an official ban on e-cigarettes, after the country reported its first confirmed EVALI case in a 16 year-old girl, on November 15, 2019.

The Philippines would join roughly 30 other countries that have moved to issue a ban on e-cigarette products, including Brazil, India and Singapore. President Trump of the United States is still contemplating an executive order to ban e-cigarettes; in particular, flavored e-cigarette products.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the CDC will not report new numbers next week, but expect an update around December 5.

Take care and stay tuned for the next Science Lion Byte!

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The Brain Eating Amoeba, Know Thine Enemy

The Brain-Eater Naegleria fowleri (nay-gleer-ee-uh) is a type of free-living amoeba,that infects the central nervous system and “eats” the brain tissue. There have been 142 cases of recorded infection with 4 survivors , 2 of which received no permanent brain damage. The U.S. possesses 3 of 8 Naegleria f. strains, however as far as scientists can tell, there isn’t any difference in virulence between strains…meaning they are all equally deadly. 

Naegleria f. is present worldwide in soil and both natural man-made freshwater habitats, thriving in warmer temperatures as high as 115 degrees fahrenheit! Some of these amoeba reservoirs include fountains, swimming pools, spas, cooling circuits, and tap water sources. Well before you start freaking out, let’s take a look at some data to provide a more clear perspective!

From 1962 to 2017 there have been approximately 142 incidences of infection with the brain-eater, Naegleria fowleri.According to the Center for Disease Control, there have been 60 cases from 1962-1989 and 82 cases from 1990 to 2017. What has changed in the past 26 years to make the incidence of a brain-eating amoeba more frequent? There are two schools of thought:

1. The increases in disease incidence could be scaling with a population increase. Since 1990 the population of the U.S. has grown by an estimated 75.53 million individuals, for a population of 325.15 million in 2017  based on the U.S. Census Bureau statistics. 

2. The Brain-Eater Naegleria f., is able to thrive in high temperature water. The temperature of the U.S. continental surface has been steadily increasing since 1990. These increasing temperatures could be allowing Naelgleria to thrive and reproduce faster. The primary states of incidence, Florida and Texas (both of which have 30+ incidences) are naturally hot climates with numerous bodies of freshwater. This has made both of these sites primary incubators for infection and Naegleria f. persistence.

A  question that arises when learning of a brain-eating amoeba-does this happen where I live? The CDC has developed the chart below to answer this crucial question. Number of Case-reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis by State (1962-2018)

Naegleria f. Infection typically leads to inflammation, swelling, and hemorrhaging of the brain. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, short attention spans, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations; all of which can manifest themselves anywhere from 1 to 9 days post infection. 

Okay, okay so onto the big questions of what the treatment options are after infection, along with the prospects of surviving this amoeba encounter. Immediate admission to your local hospital as soon as you suspect Naegleria f. infection is your best bet, with a combination therapy of lowering body temperature and administration of antimicrobials. Unfortunately, the mortality rate of this disease is roughly 97%, with late diagnosis serving as a predominant culprit.  

Naegleria f. infection is not transmissible between humans so there currently isn’t a fear of an outbreak of amebas eating our brains. However, a few suggestions on how to limit the possibility of infection altogether include: avoiding swimming in warm fresh water, using nose clips when diving into warm fresh water, abstaining from disturbing the sediment of shallow bodies of warm water. Remember, if you think you or someone you know has been infected, please seek medical help immediately!

Joint Article-B.Ford, J. Hamilton

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