Damage to lungs seen in four patients. | New England Journal of Medicine, Henry et al
Federal officials announced today that 450 people across 33 states have come down with a deadly lung illness that has been linked to e-cigarette use. That more than doubles the total number of reported cases nationwide — last week, the total stood at 215 possible cases in 25 states.
In addition, officials in Indiana announced today that a person in their state had died of the disease, bringing the nationwide death toll from the illness to three.
“We are committed to finding out what is making people sick,” Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. “All available information is being carefully analyzed, and these initial findings are helping us narrow the focus of our investigation…