Four new lung illnesses related to e-cigarette use have been reported in Maine, according to the state Center for Disease Control (CDC). That brings the total number of cases in Maine to five. The cases in Maine add to the growing list of more than 800 hospitalizations reported nationwide, as well as twelve deaths.
The CDC says the cases range from southern Maine to Aroostook County and involve one youth and four adults. The patients were treated at hospitals after reporting symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and fatigue.
The state CDC says that no specific product is linked to all cases. Most of the patients reported using e-cigarettes that contained THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. But others reported using just nicotine, or a combination of the two.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has directed the Maine CDC and the Attorney General's office to pursue increased compliance checks on retailers to prevent e-cigarette sales to children.
