UPDATE: Third death reported in Illinois linked to synthetic marijuana

Updated April 9, 2018, 6:49 p.m.

UPDATE: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois public health officials say a third person has died who experienced severe bleeding after using synthetic marijuana.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the death Monday, saying there are now 107 cases of people who have had severe bleeding due to the substance. The number was 56 cases a week ago. The department says two deaths were men in their 20s and a third death was a man in his 40s.

Those who have become sick have reported coughing up blood, blood in urine, severe bloody noses, bleeding gums and internal bleeding. Many of the cases tested positive for a lethal anticoagulant often used in rat poison. State public health officials are urging residents not to use synthetic marijuana, which is often referred to as Spice, K2 or fake weed.

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Posted April 2, 2018, 4:47 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - State health officials say a person who started bleeding severely after using synthetic marijuana has died.

In a news release, the Illinois Department of Public Health would not reveal the identity of the person or any details about the person's death.

The health department says the victim is the 38th person in Illinois to become ill in recent weeks after using what is called K2, Spice or fake weed. Officials say the people have all been hospitalized after coughing up blood, had blood in their urine or suffered from severe bloody noses or bleeding gums.

The health department is trying to determine where the 38 people obtained the products - often found in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia shops and online - before they started bleeding profusely.