Health officials confirm vaping-related illness in London, Ont.

A high-school-aged youth has been diagnosed with a severe respiratory illness related to vaping, according to health officials in London, Ont. The youth was on life support after smoking e-cigarettes, but has since recovered.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) says the youth was in the intensive care unit with a severe pulmonary illness.

The announcement comes two weeks after Health Canada issued an alert about the potential risk of pulmonary illnesses associated with vaping products. Officials warned users to watch for symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.

The government agency said health-care professionals should ask patients about their use of e-cigarette products if they have respiratory symptoms.

This is believed to be the first confirmed case in Canada.

United States health officials are investigating a mysterious surge of severe breathing illnesses linked to vaping. There have been 380 confirmed and probable cases in 36 states and one territory, including six deaths.