Letter of Invitation

From:
To:

Subject:
Date:
Importance:

Baldwin, Grant (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP)
Salvatore, Phillip (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Mikosz, Christina A. (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Cordier,
LeShaundra (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Putnam, Michelle (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Seth, Puja
(CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Hoots, Brooke (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP); Losby, Jan L. (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP);
Podolsky, Melissa (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP)
FW: Epi-Aid request
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 4:09:37 PM
High

Official epi-aid request.

From: Meiman, Jonathan G - DHS
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 3:56 PM
To: Baldwin, Grant (CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP) ; Schier, Joshua
(CDC/DDNID/NCIPC/DUIP)
Cc: Epi Aid (CDC)
Subject: Epi-Aid request
Importance: High

Dear Dr. Baldwin and Dr. Schier,

As you are aware, Wisconsin has had numerous reports of acute pulmonary disease over the past
month linked to vaping. These illnesses have all resulted in hospital admission and frequently
required treatment within intensive care units. To date, we have confirmed 12 cases of lung disease
linked to vaping and an additional 14 are under active investigation. The clinical syndrome is poorly
defined at this point and we are reviewing extensive medical documentation. Case interviews are
ongoing to help identify the specific product that is responsible.

We are requesting assistance from CDC to investigate this cluster of illnesses. This would include
medical record abstraction, data management, and possibly case interviews, all of which will remain
under the direction and supervision of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). DHS will
retain ownership of all data collected. The assistance of a physician, or an epidemiologist with
extensive experience in chart abstraction, is requested.

Sincerely,

Jon Meiman, MD
Chief Medical Officer and State Occ. & Env Disease Epidemiologist
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
1 West Wilson St – Room 150
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701
Phone: 608-266-1253
[email protected]