Health

95 Percent Of Vaping Products 'Tainted' By DLCA From VI Retailers And Wholesalers Found To Be Counterfeit; Mysterious, Deadly Illness Continues To Rise In USVI

This story was last updated at 8:49 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (D.L.C.A.) and the Virgin Islands Department of Health (D.O.H.) held a joint press conference on St. Croix Thursday to update the public on actions the departments have taken to address a serious public health issue created as a result of the use of counterfeit vaping devices. D.O.H. urged Virgin Islanders to stop vaping until the investigation is resolved. Dr. Esther Ellis, epidemiologist for D.O.H., reported that as of last Friday, up to 354 possible cases in 29 states and the territories — double the number reported the prior week — have been reported. Ms. Ellis explained that the ongoing probe is serious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) is investigating.  “There is also a growing number of cases in the Virgin Islands that are being investigated,” Ms. Ellis disclosed.  The problem has been so widespread that it is being deemed an epidemic in the ...