Health authorities in London, Ontario, believe they have identified a first case of vet-related respiratory disease in the country, following the discovery of a few hundred cases in the United States.
Last week, the Middlesex-London Health Unit became aware of a teenager attending high school who has severe lung problems.
The youth had to be hospitalized in the intensive care unit and connected to an artificial respirator to keep him alive. He has since been able to return home and recovers quietly at his home.
"We were able to determine this week [...] that this case meets the national definition of a pulmonary disease associated with vaping," said Dr. Chris Mackie, who heads the Health Unit, at a point Wednesday.
In investigating, the doctors could not determine any cause for this disease, such as cancer or infection. "The only problem identified was e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes," said Dr. Mackie.
"It's important to point out that there are limits to science. Many of the chemicals used in e-cigarettes have not been tested for their impact on health, "the doctor also said, acknowledging that" the way e-cigarettes cause these diseases is not known. "
Hundreds of patients
In the United States, some 380 cases of people who became ill because of vaping had been listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 11th. Six deaths had also been reported in as many states. The first of these was announced on August 23rd.
The government of US President Donald Trump reacted last week by announcing that he intends to ban the sale of flavored vaping liquids within a few months, in an attempt to reduce the attractiveness of these products among young people.
For its part, Health Canada issued a warning to Canadians earlier this month. Users of electronic cigarettes should "monitor the onset of symptoms of pulmonary disease (eg, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and seek immediate medical attention if they have health concerns," he wrote. the ministry in a notice published on September 6.
Health Canada had indicated that no case of vaping-related lung disease had yet been identified in the country.
attractive
Presented as an alternative to the traditional cigarette, vaping devices "escape the tobacco laws," said Linda Stobo, who heads the Middlesex-London Health Unit's Tobacco Control Unit. She observes that cigarettes offer a vast array of shapes, sizes, colors and flavors that make them attractive to young people.
The majority of victims in the United States are young people. On the other hand, all those who died were adults, the health authorities said.
"The really important message that we should share with young people is that if they do not smoke, they should not smoke," she said.