Email Invitation with Link to Web-based Survey

Attachment E: Email Introduction Letter

Attn: Laboratory Official

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with state and federal partners to learn more about current activities and technologies used to detect carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter from dogs and cats. Reports of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in animals and animal settings are rare but have been documented in livestock, wildlife, and companion animals. CDC in collaboration with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) is soliciting input from veterinary diagnostic laboratories about laboratory activities and practices related to carbapenem resistance. We are contacting you to engage your laboratory in an assessment about activities related to detection, carbapenem susceptibility testing, carbapenemase mechanism testing, data sharing capabilities, and emerging technologies for detecting carbapenem resistance.

If you are willing to participate, please follow the link below to complete the assessment by (date six weeks from initial email to be input here). This assessment is completely voluntary and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. All data will be kept secure and shared in aggregate form. We appreciate your time and feedback in helping us to better assess laboratory activities and practices related to carbapenem resistance. If you have any questions or concerns about the assessment, please contact Michelle Waltenburg [[email protected]].

(Insert web link here)

Thank you,

Michelle Waltenburg, DVM, MPH

Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer

Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention