The patient is 50-something and had been vaping a few months as a way to quit smoking
A Quebec resident has been diagnosed with the first case to Canada associated with vaping severe respiratory disease, federal officials have confirmed.
“In this case, it does not meet the criteria, and yes it is considered the first diseases associated with vaping [in Canada] is related to what is happening in America,” said Maryse Durette, senior advisor of media relations for Health Canada and Public Health Agency Canada,
A 50-something man living in Montreal, and was recently admitted to hospital with respiratory problems.
people have been vaping for several months as a way to quit smoking, said Dr. Mylène Drouin, director of public health for the region of Montreal.
Drouin said the product was used legally sold in Canada and only contains nicotine, but would not give any other details.
In Canada, the definition of cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping including the following criteria:
- Symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, with or without vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever.
- History of vaping or dabbing (using THC concentrates like oil or wax) 90 days prior to symptom onset.
- Pulmonary infiltrate, which is a substance denser than air, such as pus, blood, or protein in the lungs.
- Negative results on tests for a lung infection.
- No evidence in medical records of alternative plausible diagnoses.
Anyone who has used e-smoking or vaping products, and has experienced these symptoms are advised to consult a health professional.
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Last week, officials in Ontario reported a teenager wearing life support after use of the vaping device. However, cases have not been confirmed under the federal definition.
Durette said federal officials are aware of some other events around the country and now, they are considered to be “investigated the incident.”
In the US, there have been more than 800 cases and 13 deaths.
Drouin said people who switch to vaping for reducing smoking does not have to go back to smoking. But he also raised concerns about the risk of vaping.
“The message to the population, and for doctors, is that there are other products, smoking cessation programs, and products that have been approved and safe … and such products should be the first choice for those who want to quit smoking,” she says.
‘Vaping is not without risk’
Two weeks ago, the Quebec Ministry of Health issued a warning about the risk of developing lung disease vaping.
Dr. Horacio Arruda, provincial director of public health, said what they know is there is a link between the illness and people who vape.
But because there are different models of e-cigarettes and vaping different products, it is unclear whether this problem with a particular company or product.
They stressed that anyone who does not already smoke or who have never used e-cigarettes do not have to start now.
“Vaping is not without risk, and the unknown long-term effects,” said Arruda.
Daniel Marien, spokesman vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA), said he welcomed the investigation of disease.
“I want the public to know what the problem is with certain people, and everything [that] dealing with vaping, they had to dig deep to see what caused it,” he said.
He said his message to the federal government is that it should continue to look to the disease, but it does not have to “take drastic measures based on assumptions.”
A group of Canadian health organizations has recently called on the federal authorities to regulate the industry of e-cigarettes and vaping.
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