Cone Health Patient First NC Death Linked To Vaping

Cone Health of Greensboro is reporting the state's first known death connected to vaping. Spokesman Doug Allred confirmed that a patient died Wednesday from a lung illness linked to e-cigarettes.

No information about the patient was released. Allred said eight other people with similar issues had been treated by Cone Health through mid-August. The symptoms are like pneumonia and include coughing, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting.

State officials say the victim is a resident of Virginia, and they're working with the Virginia Department of Health to determine if the case meets the Center For Disease Control's criteria for vaping-related lung illnesses. 

Earlier this month, the director of Guilford County's public health urged people to stop vaping until more is known about what is causing the illnesses.

Guilford recently joined a multi-state investigation of lung illnesses connected to e-cigarettes. Many cases have been linked to the illicit use of cannabinoid products such as THC and CBD.