The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Aug. 30 they are investigating more cases of a breathing illness associated with vaping. The root cause remains unclear, but officials said Friday that many reports involve marijuana vaping.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Aug. 30 they are investigating more cases of a breathing illness associated with vaping. The root cause remains unclear, but officials said Friday that many reports involve marijuana vaping. / AP

The Georgia Department of Public Health said Monday two cases of vaping illness have been reported in the state.

Nationwide, five people have died and more than 450 possible cases of vaping-related lung disease are being investigated by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC 2019 Lung Injury Response incident manager Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman says people should avoid using e-cigarette devices while an investigation into vaping-related lung illness is ongoing. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports.

RELATED: CDC Says Number Of Possible Cases Of Vaping-Related Lung Illness Has Doubled

Georgia’s state health department is asking health care providers to report cases of severe respiratory illness after vaping. Neither of the two reported cases has been fatal, DPH spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said.

"Both cases have a history of vaping, including THC, but no other known commonalities such as location or specific products," she said.

Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, with the CDC's Lung Injury Response, said while this investigation is ongoing, people should consider not using e-cigarette products.

She said that people who do use e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and vomiting. Anyone with these symptoms is encouraged to promptly seek medical attention.

The CDC recommends that people who use e-cigarette products should not buy these products "off the street" and should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer.

DPH is continuing its investigation into additional potential cases of vaping illness as they receive reports from healthcare providers, Nydam said. 

The department is also following up with emergency rooms and urgent care facilities to use admission and discharge information for its investigation.