Maricopa County is seeing the first cases of respiratory infections caused by e-cigarettes.
Arizona doctors have diagnosed three cases of severe respiratory infections in the Valley caused by vaping. A national outbreak includes 380 cases, but it’s still unclear how vaping is causing the infections.
Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, says cases include people with a history of vaping various products so it’s too early to rule out any one substance.
“Because the cause isn’t known, we don’t want people just to assume ‘oh it’s only for people who are using like THC or cannabinoid vaping.’ Or ‘Oh no no, I use cannabinoid or THC vaping’ so I’m not impacted if it’s a manufactured product,’” Christ said.
Christ says the health department is asking doctors to report possible cases to poison control.
