| As concerns around the country mount, the number of confirmed and probable cases of pulmonary illness associated with vaping in West Virginia has increased.
West Virginia is already a state with the highest number of drug related deaths per capita, in addition to a density of chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes.
West Virginia now has eight confirmed/probable cases of pulmonary illness associated with vaping, the state Department of Health and Human Resources said Wednesday.
Just a couple of months ago, West Virginia had only one confirmed case of severe pulmonary illness linked to vaping and one probable case.
West Virginia issued a health alert in August warning the medical community to be on the lookout for severe pulmonary illnesses related to vaping.
News with the latest health concerns about vaping in West Virginia come as state Sen. Robert Beach, D-Monongalia, sent a letter to Gov. Jim Justice, asking him to declare a public health emergency over e-cigarettes. The lawmaker also asked the governor to order state health officials to come up with emergency rules to prohibit the sale of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Police in Morgantown alerted the public recently when two high school students overdosed after using vape pens laced with heroin and other chemicals.
Health officials across the country have reported a multistate outbreak of severe lung disease associated with the use of vaping products. As of Sept. 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 530 cases across 38 states and U.S. territories, including seven fatalities in six different states. | 
