LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
News Release
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313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012  |  (213) 240-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

January 02, 2020

Update on Lung Illnesses and Deaths Associated with Vaping in LA County
Residents are warned to STOP VAPING NOW

LOS ANGELES -The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to warn residents about the use of vaping and e-cigarette devices as potentially harmful to proper lung function and urges residents to STOP VAPING NOW. Nationally, there continue to be reports of people showing up in emergency departments with similar symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and may have vomiting and diarrhea. And while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified Vitamin E acetate as a potential chemical of concern, the cause for this threat remains unknown.

Los Angeles County Cases

Public Health continues to urge healthcare providers to be on the alert for signs of severe respiratory illness among patients who recently used vaping products including e-cigarettes and report cases by phone to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at 626-299- 3504.

For more information about the dangers of vaping and for weekly case updates, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc/public/vap ing-faq.htm .

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichea lth.lacounty.gov , and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/l acounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lap ublichealth, facebook.co m/lapublichealth, instagra m.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/ lapublichealth.



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