Doctors at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset say they're seeing many cases of patients becoming ill from vaping, and now it may be to blame for a death in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says a patient who contracted a serious lung disease after vaping has died, which could make it the first death in the country linked to smoking e-cigarettes.

Illinois health officials said the patient was between 17 and 38 years old, but did not give other information about the person, including a name, hometown or date of death.

The news comes two days after the Centers for Disease Control reported that 149 people nationwide have contracted a severe respiratory illness linked to vaping.

The CDC said all of the cases occurred in people who acknowledged vaping either nicotine or THC, the high-inducing chemical found in marijuana.

New York state has been cracking down on the use of vape products in recent months. In July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation raising the legal age to buy tobacco products and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old.

Health officials say anyone who is experiencing any type of chest pain and difficulty breathing after vaping should seek medical attention immediately.