A person who contracted a serious lung disease after using a vaping device has died in the US.

It is being treated as the first death there that has been linked to the smoking alternative.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says the patient was hospitalised with severe respiratory illness after vaping.

The department says the number of cases of people reported to them who have used e-cigarettes or vaped and have been hospitalised with respiratory symptoms has doubled in the past week.

A total of 22 people, ranging in age from 17 to 38 years, have experienced respiratory illness after using e-cigarettes or vaping.

It is also investigating another 12 individuals.

Those affected have experienced a cough, shortness of breath and fatigue - others have also had vomiting and diarrhea.

"Symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital", the IDPH says.

IDPH director is Dr Ngozi Ezike.

She says: "The severity of illness people are experiencing is alarming and we must get the word out that using e-cigarettes and vaping can be dangerous.

"We requested a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help us investigate these cases and they arrived in Illinois on Tuesday."

According to the CDC, in many cases, patients have acknowledged to health care personnel recent use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products.

However, no specific product has been identified in all cases - nor has any product been conclusively linked to illnesses.

And it is not clear if these cases have a common cause or if they are different diseases with similar symptoms.

The IDPH says the investigation is ongoing and more information will be shared as it is available.

Main image: File photo of a woman vaping | Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/PA Images