A Kansas resident has died from the same mysterious vaping-related illness that has suddenly cropped up across the country, officials said Tuesday.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed that the unidentified vaping victim died in the hospital from lung disease that “progressed rapidly.”
State Epidemiologist Dr. Farah Ahmed said the patient was over the age of 50 and had a history of underlying health issues.
The case brings the death toll from vaping-related illnesses across the country to six.
Health officials have warned Americans to stop vaping or using e-cigarettes — after identifying more than 450 cases of sicknesses linked to the use of the devices.
“If you or a loved one is vaping, please stop,” Dr. Lee Norman with the KDHE said in a statement. “The recent deaths across our country, combined with hundreds of reported lung injury cases continue to intensify. I’m extremely alarmed for the health and safety of Kansans who are using vaping products and urge them to stop until we can determine the cause of vaping related lung injuries and death.”