By Illinois Information Service and Howard Packowitz

SPRINGFIELD – A fifth person has died in Illinois from a vaping-related illness, according to the state’s public health department.

There have been 187 cases of lung injury linked to vaping, and now there have been five deaths. Another 40 possible cases are under investigation.

“Although this resident who recently died had been hospitalized for several weeks, we continue to see new cases reported with recent onset of lung injury,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.

“I cannot stress enough the severity of these illnesses and the need for people not to use e-cigarette or vaping products that contain THC while this investigation is ongoing, especially those obtained through illicit or unregulated sources,” Ezike said.

Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said most have similar symptoms.

“I think 95 percent presented with respiratory symptoms that look like shortness of breath, or chest pain, difficulty breathing; 85 percent presented with some kind of gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,” Ezike said.

Ezike said anyone with these symptoms who vapes should get to the Doctor right away. The majority of those who have fallen ill have vaped products containing THC. Products obtained on the black market, including one called “dank vapes,” seem to be the most dangerous.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]