U.S. reports no new deaths tied to vaping, lung illness cases rise to 2,711

[January 29, 2020]  (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Tuesday reported no new deaths from the mysterious respiratory illness tied to vaping after their last update on Jan. 16, keeping the total deaths at 60.

As of Jan. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 43 more cases from the illness associated with use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. The number of people hospitalized now stood at 2,711.

The agency had released reports in December indicating that the outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries appears to be waning, as evidence mounts that vitamin E acetate, a cutting agent used in marijuana vape cartridges, is playing a role in the illnesses.

(Reporting by Manojna Maddipatla and Saumya Sibi Joseph in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)

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