Bat Guano No Bueno ~ Fungal Illness Outbreak At Nebraska Day Camp

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Sharon Kramer

Posted on the UNC Env-Occ-Med-List-Serv Dr. Gary Greenberg:

“Notes from the Field: Histoplasmosis Outbreak Among Day Camp Attendees — Nebraska, June 2012

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6137a4.htm

September 21, 2012 / 61(37);747-748

On June 21, 2012, the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) in Omaha, Nebraska, was notified of an acute respiratory illness cluster among 32 counselors at city-sponsored day camps. Laboratory-confirmed histoplasmosis was diagnosed in one camp counselor. DCHD and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS investigated the extent and source of the outbreak to prevent further infections.

Histoplasmosis is a common fungal infection in the United States (1) and is a cause of respiratory illness outbreaks in endemic areas, which include areas in the midwestern states, and particularly the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys (2). Illness usually is acquired from inhalation of soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings (2); human-to-human transmission does not occur. Symptoms include fever, headache, and respiratory symptoms, although infected persons can remain asymptomatic (2). Most patients will recover regardless of treatment, but severe disease can lead to respiratory failure and should be treated; immunocompromised patients are at high risk for developing histoplasmosis that spreads throughout the body (2).

All camp counselors and camp attendees’ parents were informed of the outbreak. Counselors were requested to complete a questionnaire to report their demographic information, activities, campsite assignments, and symptoms. All camp attendees’ parents were administered a separate Internet-based questionnaire regarding their child’s week of attendance and symptoms. Campsite assignments were  obtained from camp administrators.

Serum and urine samples from all counselors were tested by enzyme immunoassay for Histoplasma capsulatum antigen to detect active infection. Parents of all attendees were mailed a letter explaining the symptoms of histoplasmosis, treatment and testing indications, and that testing could be performed free of charge if they desired.

A confirmed case of histoplasmosis was defined as a serum or urine test positive for H. capsulatum, regardless of the person’s symptoms, at any time after that person’s arrival at camp. A suspected case was defined as illness comprising self-reported fever and at least one additional symptom (headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, or cough) in a camp counselor or attendee, beginning =3 days after camp arrival during May 21–June 27, 2012, regardless of that person’s test results.

Among the 32 counselors, 19 (17 confirmed, two suspected) (59%) had illness meeting the case definition, 11 (34%) were symptomatic with fever and at least one additional symptom, and 10 (31%) sought medical care for their symptoms. No hospitalizations or deaths occurred. Median age of the counselors was 20 years (range: 18–23 years). No specific activities or campsite assignments were associated with illness when confirmed and suspected cases were combined; however, when suspected cases were excluded, digging fire pits was associated with increased risk for illness among persons with confirmed illness (risk ratio [RR] = 2.7; Fisher’s exact test p-value = 0.01).

Camp activities had occurred in a wooded park with 12 campsites, nine of which were open, dirt-floor shelters with roofs supported by posts. During May 21–May 25, counselors participated in a precamp clean-up week. Activities included raking leaves, cleaning picnic tables, digging fire pits, and moving firewood; counselors did not wear personal protective equipment while cleaning. They reported observing bat guano on picnic tables and dirt floors in two of the shelters. Daycamps began on June 4, 2012, each lasting from Monday through Friday.

Campers were aged 6–14 years (median: 9 years); each was assigned to one campsite, where activities included cooking on wood-fired grills and eating at picnic tables. Camp activities included nature walks, outdoor games, wilderness skill training, archery, and arts and crafts; all campers participated in these activities, but none participated in high-risk activities (e.g., digging in dirt, digging fire pits, raking leaves, or cleaning campsites).

Of 797 children attending camps, questionnaires were completed on 142 (18%), and laboratory testing was performed on 21 (3%). Laboratory or questionnaire data were obtained for 153 (19%) children, of whom 17 (11.1%) had illness meeting the case definition for histoplasmosis (five confirmed, 12 suspected). A multilevel logistic regression model with a random effect for campsite was used to compare illnesses among 18 children assigned to the two campsites where guano was identified, 32 children assigned to two campsites =20 yards from campsites with guano, and 92 children assigned to eight campsites =21 yards from campsites with guano (referent group). Compared with the referent group, children assigned to campsites with guano had 2.4 times the odds of illness (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-11.4), and children assigned to campsites =20 yards from campsites with guano had 2.2 times the odds of illness (95% CI = 0.5-8.2). A decreasing trend in illness occurred with increasing distance from campsites with guano (Cochran-Armitage test p-value = 0.04).

During a visit by DCHD and NDHHS personnel on June 26, 2012, bat guano was noted on picnic tables and dirt floors at two campsites. At that time, DCHD and NDHHS recommended closing these campsites, and the areas were fenced off. Soil samples of all campsites, and other areas of the park were obtained for Histoplasma testing; results are pending.

The probable infection source in this outbreak was campsite contamination of soil and picnic tables by bat guano, which likely became aerosolized during camp activities or clean-up before camper arrival. No other potential sources of infection were identified.

Subsequent to this investigation, the city parks and recreation division relocated the day camp to a different park. The health department provided recommendations to the city’s parks and recreation division regarding prevention of bat roosting, procedures for inspecting and identifying potentially contaminated areas, and procedures to mitigate biohazardous sites contaminated with Histoplasma (3). Persons living in endemic areas should be aware that exposure to aerosolized soil or guano in sites with bird or bat droppings can lead to histoplasmosis, should avoid such exposures, and should seek professional assistance for cleanup efforts.

Reported by Anne O’Keefe, MD, Justin Frederick, MPH, Bonnie Harmon, MSN, Douglas County Dept of Health; Tom Safranek, MD, Nebraska Dept of Health and Human Svcs. Bryan F. Buss, DVM, Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Office for Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response. Benjamin J. Park, MD, Div of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Kristin Yeoman, MD, EIS Officer, CDC. Corresponding contributor: Kristin Yeoman, vij6@cdc.gov, 402-471-1376.

References

1) Chu JH, Feudtner C, Heydon K, Walsh TJ, Zaoutis TE.
Hospitalizations for endemic mycoses: a population-based national study. Clin Infect Dis 2006;42:822–5.

2) Kauffman CA. Histoplasmosis: a clinical and laboratory update. Clin Microbiol Rev 2007;20:115–32.

3) CDC. Histoplasmosis: protecting workers at risk. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2004. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-109. Accessed August 23, 2012.”

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Kelman & GlobalTox v. Kramer ~ Motion To Vacate The Void Judgment

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Sharon Kramer

Report Insurance Fraud To WHOM???? The defrauders?

SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, NORTH DISTRICT

Filed September 20, 2012   

KEY EXCERPTS OF THE MOTION:

Bottom line is that officers of courts framed a defendant for libel to make an accurate writing over a matter impacting public health appear to make a false and libelous statement that the writing did not make as they suppressed the evidence that the plaintiff committed perjury to establish libel law needed reason for malice.  For seven years they have falsified many court documents and suppressed massive amounts of unimpeached evidence to force the false finding of libel with actual malice and to conceal the truth of court aided fraud; including in a second case in which they have attempted to gag the defendant from writing of what the courts have done and continue to do that is adverse to the public’s best interest; as they retaliate against the defendant by unlawful and criminal means for her refusal of silence.

The Science Fraud: Mold toxins, or mycotoxins, are secondary metabolites of mold and are naturally occurring chemicals. When present in water damaged buildings “WDB” there are co-contaminants and multiple routes of exposure.  It is not even close to legitimate exposure science to make such a fraudulent claim that extrapolations applied to a mechanistic research model can be used by themselves as proof of no injury or death of individuals from an exposure in actual field conditions.  As stated by the National Academy of Sciences, Third Edition, References On Scientific Evidence:

 Models are idealized mathematical expressions of the relationship between two or more variables. They are usually derived from basic physical and chemical principles that are well established under idealized circumstances, but may not be validated under actual field conditions. Models thus cannot generate completely accurate predictions of chemical concentrations in the environment.

These litigations have been strategic litigation against public participation since inception.  One month after the first trial court denied my anti-SLAPP motion in September of 2005 while suppressing the evidence that Kelman committed perjury to establish false light reason for my alleged malicious reason to expose massive fraud in public health policy and the courts; Governor Schwarzenegger endorsed the fraudulent science of Kelman and Hardin into California’s “workers comp reform”.  This “reform” has played a major role in the dire financial condition of the State of California by the rampant cost shifting onto state social service programs when workman comp insurers are able to game the system by the use of the bogus science to deny liability for causation of disability of injured workers.

This matter has cost my husband and me several millions of dollars in litigation costs, lost wages, forced sale of stock and 401K plans, etc.  It has taken us to the brink of poverty. I would like to make a living again as a reputable and trusted real estate agent in Rancho Santa Fe. However that is not possible with the defamation of me by the courts falsely deeming me to be a malicious liar and refusing to correct their errors, even while knowing how many lives, including mine, continue to be devastated from their collective unlawful actions.

Read the Motion and Evidence of the courts conspiring to defraud the public and trying to keep their collective misdeeds from coming to light, in its entirety at ContemptOfCourtFor.ME

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Did you know that California workers are losing their right to sue for work related injury – particularly the environmentally injured

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Sharon Kramer

Mercury News, September 11, 2012 ~ Exclusive: California Gov. Jerry Brown tells critics ‘We’ve made a helluva lot of progress’ ~ “On workers’ compensation reforms, approved on the final day of the session with the support of labor and business leaders alike, Brown trumpeted his ability to bring Republicans and Democrats together for lopsided votes in the Legislature. Brown has been credited with closing the deal with personal appeals to legislators in both parties. The deal averted a large premium increase to employers while increasing payouts to injured workers but eliminated coverage for conditions that most commonly lead to lawsuits. ‘This was a real triumph — the first time we’ve got Republicans and Democrats in huge numbers,’ Brown said. ‘That’s work. Did that help Proposition 30? I wasn’t even thinking of Proposition 30. I just knew that workers’ comp needed this reform and this is the most major reform probably ever.”

Artwork by Sandi Trend, mother of California injured biotech worker, David Bell

September 7, 2012~ Workers’ Compensation Law | LexisNexis ~California Workers Compensation Reform Analysis of SB 863: Medical Treatment ~ The following analysis is based on the 8/30/2012 amended version of SB 863: ~  “The primary change in this current proposal is that the IMR [sic Independent Medical Review aka Defense Medical Review  when coverage of injury is denied by the insurer] process was made mandatory for almost all medical treatment disputes in the entire workers’ compensation system, with little or no involvement from the WCAB [sic Workman’s Compensation Appeals Board] . Only an IMR reviewer is permitted to make a decision on medical treatment. In almost all MT cases, neither the WCAB nor any higher authority is permitted to weigh in on the issue of what constitutes reasonable and necessary medical treatment.The reform legislation seems to be designed to eliminate attorneys and the judicial system from the MT dispute resolution process. Proponents of SB863 argue that eliminating attorneys and judges from the medical dispute resolution process will streamline the system and expedite the delivery of MT services to IWs. They propose this IMR system will guarantee IWs top quality medical care, since MT decisions will be made solely by graduates of medical schools, rather than by graduates of law schools.  However, those opposed to the reform package feel that quality of care is secondary to access to care. If an IW is unable to access MT, quality is irrelevant. And it is this access to care, that attorney and judicial involvement guarantee. IWs have encountered various struggles over the past several years to obtain needed MT. Without a legal advocate to assist them, and without a right of appeal of the IMR decision, those in opposition to SB863 are concerned that the IW’s struggles to secure MT will increase exponentially. In addition, some people have suggested that the new IMR system may be unconstitutional as it takes the decision making process outside the judicial arena and allows for a medical decision based solely on a records and document review, rather than on an “in person” examination of the IW.(SB863 does not seem to require or even allow for the IMR physician to personally examine the IW.) This fact, combined with the loss of all rights of appeal, raises all sorts of questions of due process. Some have argued that IMR system deprives the IW of notice and their opportunity to be heard on the determination of their MT needs, which may be considered unconstitutional.” 

To our knowledge, there is no such animal as an environmentally trained Medical Review Officer within the California Workman’s Compensation System and bias against the environmentally injuredis blatant and pervasive. 

Here is how the Scam Works: “When an employee is injured or made ill at work, the employer or insurer may send the employee to an AOEC clinic for evaluation. These clinics are affiliated with the University of California. . These evaluations are known as independent medical examinations (IMEs). The term ‘independent’ as applied to contracted examinations suggests that they are unbiased in comparison with the opinions of personal physicians. However, the physician conducting the IME is connected financially to the employer/insurer and not the patient, creating a fundamental conflict of interest. As a result, the IME arrangement is already strongly biased toward minimizing the recognition of occupational illness and disability. If the worker attempts to challenge the IME finding, these same physicians may then generate additional income as expert defense witnesses on behalf of the employer or the insurer. Much of the funding received for the denial of illness through expert-witness testimony goes directly into the coffers of the teaching universities charged with advancing the understanding of illnesses they are profiting from by denying. How far that bias and financial opportunism are carried is a matter of both pervasive commercial influence over occupational medical practice and personal ethics.”

We predict that SB863 will ultimately be deemed unconstitutional and will cause more litigation in California — not less, while the environmentally injured worker will have to jump through even more hoops to receive medical care and restitution for illness and injury; and while the taxpayer will continue to foot the bill for the destitute workers & their families via state and federally funded social service programs.

July 20, 2012 LexisNexis~Cost-Shifting of Workers’ Compensation Expenses: Study Says Third Parties Pick Up Most of the Bill~ “The researchers based their findings regarding the number of workers’ compensation cases and the costs of those cases on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Workers’ compensation costs for 2007 were estimated to be $51.7 billion, which consisted of approximately $29.8 billion in medical expenses and roughly $21.9 billion in other benefits. The study noted that the $51.7 billion included compensation for work-related harm that occurred in 2007 and for benefits for compensable harm that occurred in prior years. Other information showed that non-workers’ compensation insurance absorbed $14.22 billion worth of medical expenses that workers’ compensation did not cover. Medicare covered an additional $7.16 billion of those expenses and Medicaid covered an additional $5.47 billion. These results prompted concluding that workers’ compensation ‘costs were shifted to workers and their families, non-workers’ compensation insurance carriers, and governments.”

It is a noble try, Governor Brown, to attempt to do something about a system that is severely compromised by the control of the insurance industry and an aiding and abetting medical system.  But it is not enough to bring real change for the employers, workers and taxpayers of California and will surely only make matters worse. 

You have not  addressed the motivating elephant in the room:  Increased insurer and Regents of the University of California profits from the new plan – just like the old plan –  while honest employers, workers and taxpayers continue to pick up the tab for those who have figured out how to game the system and shift their costs onto the public.

HERE IS AN IDEA TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, GOVERNOR BROWN:  Why don’t you have the state’s District Attorneys go after workman’s compensation insurers for the fraud and cost shifting? The millions in tax dollars the state’s DAs receive annually from the California Fraud Assessment Commission for the exact purpose of stopping insurance fraud could actually be used to stop insurance fraud.   Then, maybe there would be no need to raise taxes via Proposition 30.

 
 
 

 

 

Posted in Civil Justice, Environmental Health Threats, Health - Medical - Science, Mold Litigation, Politics, US Chamber of Commerce | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

San Diego Court Issues Tentative~Back 2 Jail 4 Me 4 Refusing 2 Lie 2 Public on Net

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Sharon Kramer
Kelman v. Kramer
Motion Hearing Date, Aug 31, 1:30 PM
North San Diego Superior Court
Department 30
Judge Thomas P. Nugent presiding
Read More @ ContemptOfCourtFor.Me
 
Sharon Kramer
Posted in Civil Justice, Environmental Health Threats, Health - Medical - Science, Mold Litigation, Toxic Mold, US Chamber of Commerce | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Sharon Kramer

CONTEMPT OF COURT

Mrs. Sharon Noonan Kramer
2031 Arborwood Place
Escondido, CA 92029
760-746-8026
August 27, 2012
Update: September 10, 2012.  The Court, with no subject matter jurisdiction, fined me $3K (this is my Motion for Reconsideration submitted under duress) for refusing to publish a false confession on the internet of being guilty of libel for a sentence I never even wrote.. “Dr. Kelman altered his under oath statements on the witness stand’ while he testified as a witness in an Oregon lawsuit.”— to conceal how and why the courts framed me for libel for the sentences, “Upon viewing documents presented by the Hayne’s attorney of Kelman’s prior testimony from a case in Arizona, Dr. Kelman altered his under oath statements on the witness stand.  He admitted the Manhattan Institute, a national political think-tank, paid GlobalTox $40,000 to write a position paper regarding the potential health risks of toxic mold exposure.”…

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