Two cases of severe lung disease related to vaping have been reported in Spokane County.
They are the second and third cases reported in Washington in the last week. A teenager from King County was the first to be made public.
Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz says the Spokane cases were originally spotted by the Washington Department of Health.
“There were four cases that were actually of concern, noted by DOH, that were shared with us. We were able to determine that only two met further investigation. It was with that further investigation that we discovered that they indeed met all the criteria for this diagnosis," Lutz said.
One of the patients was in their teens, the second was in their 20s. Both suffered acute respiratory distress and spent a few days in the hospital, but are now fine. Lutz says whether they, or other people who vape, have suffered long-term, permanent respiratory damage is unknown.
Washington is only one of many states that are investigating illnesses suspected to be caused by vaping. The federal Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration also investigating.