A 32-year-old man from Buri Ram, Thailand, has been diagnosed with EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC) at the Ministry of Public Health.
The patient, who was admitted to Buri Ram Hospital, was coughing up blood, and his condition quickly developed into acute and severe pneumonia, said Dr Chayanan Sittibusaya, director of the ministry’s Division of Tobacco Product Control.
“We don’t usually encounter acute pneumonia and the symptoms deteriorated quickly within 24 to 36 hours. In this case, he had to be put on a ventilator,” he said, as reported by media. “All tests for infection, such as Covid-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and others, were negative. After the patient was able to remove his breathing tube, he told doctors he took about 400 puffs of an e-cigarette per day, every day.”
Chayanan said it was unclear how long the man had pursued an aggressive smoking habit. However, he also had underlying diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure. A detailed physical examination revealed white patches on his lungs.
The patient’s condition is improving overall, and there is no infection. However, he was experiencing symptoms similar to nicotine withdrawal.
The hospital brought the case to the attention of the Buri Ram provincial public health office to investigate the disease further.
E-cigarettes are prohibited in the country, but they are easily available both online and offline, despite the authorities’ vow to deal with them.