Across the country, more than 1,400 people have experienced serious vaping-related illnesses since March 31. Of the 1,479 confirmed and probable cases reported, 137 have occurred in Illinois – the most in any state, according to data released by federal and state health officials Thursday.
California had the second-highest number of cases, with 133 confirmed and probable cases and an additional 14 under investigation, according to the California Department of Public Health. In Illinois, an additional 33 cases are under investigation, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
A spokesperson for IDPH said it’s unclear why Illinois and California are seeing the highest number of cases and that the agency continues to work with local and state health departments, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
The CDC said Thursday that vaping-related illnesses have occurred in every state expect Alaska, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C. There have been 33 deaths in 24 states, including one in Illinois.