Bird Flu: Is Human-to-Human Spread Taking Flight?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] alert from September 27, 2024, raises concerns about human-to-human transmission of bird flu among workers. If this occurs, it will create a major occupational disease outbreak in the workplace that may severely impact workers’ compensation claims.

Occupational Exposure to Monkeypox

A recent report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that both health care workers’ [HCW] infections observed in this study were transmitted through fomite exposure with surfaces in the patient’s home, their own PPE, or outer surfaces of the specimen transport box. 

Back to Work is Going to be Back to COVID

The US Centers for Disease Control [CDC] announced today a continuation of its flawed strategy to reduce the plateaued high transmission rates of COVID throughout the US. As workers return from summer vacation, COVID transmission will remain very high, and the workforce will be subject to primary and repeat COVID infections.

COVID Boosters: What Employees and Employers Need to Know

Many employers and state governments are mandating that employees be vaccinated against COVID. Confusion remains over the rapidly changing landscape of booster doses as reports of waning or compromised immunity even though a worker is considered “fully vaccinated” when the original series of doses are completed. 

National COVID-19 Aerosol Workplace Standard Urged

Leading public health and workplace safety experts have urged the Biden Administration to invoke immediate measures to reduce the aerosol spread based COVID-19 virus. In a letter to the national pandemic response team leaders, the experts have stated that urgent action is needed on a national scale.

CDC issues mandate on wearing of face masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs

Many of the nation’s employers and employees will be impacted by a recent mask mandate promulgated by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This national Order will establish a uniform science and medical evidence strategy to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV2 (coronavirus) and the emerging spread of variants of the disease.

CDC Is Seeking Occupational Health Partners to Vaccinate

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking the participation of occupational health partners to vaccinate essential workers. This action will encourage employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies to assist in vaccinating essential workers.

Is the workers' compensation system ready for the COVID-19 [coronavirus] virus? Live Updates

It seems that every decade a new pandemic emerges on the world scene, and complacency continues to exist in the workers’ compensation arena to meet the emerging challenges of infectious disease.

Workplace Testing - Pandemic Preparedness Strategy for Success

Maintaining a safe workplace is a crucial strategy in the era of COVID-19. Today's guest author, Michael Gelman, MD PhD, discusses how testing can play a critical role going forward.

A lot of people are getting very excited about Michael Mina’s proposed strategy of cheap, rapid, frequent testing. From his Op-Ed in the Times, to his appearance on TWiV, to this article in the Atlantic, there’s a lot of hope around the potential for inexpensive antigen tests, like the Abbott BinaxNow - which quickly got bought up by the Department of Health and Human Services through December’s anticipated production. It’s possible that another company funded by a U.S. Government initiative might come out with something as good, or better, in the near future. (And no, I don’t have any inside information on any of this. Not that I haven’t asked around.) All this comes amid the CDC’s controversial revision of its testing guidelines, as well as a recent FDA statement that points out the unknowns around repurposing a test, which was originally developed for diagnosis, to screen large numbers of asymptomatic persons. Meanwhile, another Times article points out what many of us have known for months: that a positive PCR test late in the course of illness may be more of a hindrance than a help. 

Fourteen Attorney Generals Criticizes EPA for Failing to Protect Americans from Asbestos, a Long-Known Dangerous Carcinogen

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, leading a coalition of 14 attorneys general, including New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, submitted comments criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finding that certain uses of asbestos present no unreasonable risk to human health. In the comment letter, the coalition argues that the EPA’s draft risk evaluation for asbestos violates the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Congress' intent that the EPA consider all uses of asbestos in its evaluation. The coalition notes the finding is unsupported by the EPA's own assessment and urges the agency to obtain the information it has admitted it needs to conduct the necessary, thorough evaluations of the risks presented by this chemical.

Emergency Federal Coronavirus Funding - Better late than never

The recently enacted emergency coronavirus Federal funding legislation will offer some support to ease the burden of the epidemic on the workers’ compensation benefit system. Since the containment phase has been hampered by the lack of valid test kits, the US is now entering the mitigation phase. The additional resources to treat and eliminate the credible COVID-19 virus epidemic will prove beneficial.

House Appropriations Committee Releases Discretionary Labor-HHS Funding Bill

Worker safety and health is a focus of the just released House Committee on Appropriations. The Legislation increases discretionary funding by $11.7 billion from the 2019 level, investing in education, health care, medical research, and job training so people have a better chance at a better life; Bill funds firearm injury and mortality prevention research at CDC for first time in more than 20 years.

CDC has requested comments for the feasibility of a mesothelioma registry

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced the opening of a docket to obtain information on the feasibility of a registry designed to track mesothelioma cases in the United States, as well as recommendations on enrollment, data collection, confidentiality, and registry maintenance. The purpose of such a registry would be to collect information that could be used to develop and improve standards of care and to identify gaps in mesothelioma prevention and treatment.

Workers Who Are Non-Smokers Suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]

Approximately 25% of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have never smoked, and workplace exposures likely contribute to much of their disease. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] that 24% of workers who suffer from COPD never smoked. Among these persons, 26%–53% of COPD can be attributed to workplace exposures, including dust, fumes, gases, vapors, and secondhand smoke exposure.

Total Disability and an Aging Workforce

Workers' Compensation is synonymous with disability and a recent report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights how prevalent disabilities are for adults. It is no wonder why so many injured workers suffered who suffer a minor work-related injury become totally disabled. Comorbidity is now a major issue, especially in an ever-expanding aging workforce.

1 in 3 swimming-related disease outbreaks occur at hotels

Crypto parasite continues to cause most outbreaks and illnesses linked to pools and water playgrounds.

A third of treated recreational waterborne disease outbreaks during 2000 through 2014 occurred in hotel pools or hot tubs, according to a report published today in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Cryptosporidium (also known as “Crypto”), Pseudomonas, and Legionella causes most of the outbreaks in swimming venues in the United States during this time period. Crypto is a parasite tough enough to survive even in properly maintained pools. Pseudomonas and Legionella are bacteria that can survive disinfectants in slimy areas of hot tubs, pools, and water playgrounds.

The report describes mixed progress in preventing outbreaks caused by germs spread through treated recreational water. The 493 outbreaks reported during this period resulted in at least 27,219 illnesses and eight deaths. The number of respiratory disease outbreaks caused by Legionella increased over time and skin infection outbreaks caused by Pseudomonas decreased over time. Diarrheal disease outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium leveled off during 2008 through 2014. More than half of outbreaks started in the summer, the peak season for swimming.

Common parasite remains the leading cause of illness from pools

Crypto causes 58 percent of outbreaks where a germ was identified linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds and 89 percent of the illnesses. Crypto spreads in pools when someone sick with the parasite has diarrhea in the water and other swimmers swallow that contaminated water. Swimmers and parents of young swimmers play an essential role in preventing Crypto outbreaks.

“Swallowing just a mouthful of water with Crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “Chlorine cannot kill Crypto quickly. We need to keep it out of the water in the first place. Don’t go into the water, and don’t let your kids go into the water if sick with diarrhea.”

Bacteria cause respiratory illness and skin rashes

The bacteria Legionella and Pseudomonas are the next most leading causes of these outbreaks, with 16 percent of outbreaks caused by Legionella and 13 percent caused by Pseudomonas. Legionella can cause severe pneumonia and symptoms similar to the flu. Pseudomonas can cause hot tub rash and swimmer’s ear.

Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a) bacteria. Legionella can also cause a milder illness called Pontiac fever. People can get sick when they breathe in a mist or accidentally swallow water into the lungs containing Legionella. Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. However, people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, and people with a weakened immune system or chronic disease are at increased risk.

Legionnaires’ disease is a risk in healthcare facilities across the United States, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. Unfortunately, this serious bacterial lung infection is deadly for 1 in 4 people who get it from a healthcare facility.

If a pool, hot tub, or water playground is not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow and form a slime called biofilm on wet surfaces. Legionella and Pseudomonas can live in this biofilm. It is harder for disinfectants to kill these bacteria when they are protected by biofilm. Pool operators need to maintain proper cleaning practices and disinfectant levels to prevent bacteria from growing and causing illnesses in swimmers. CDC provides specific recommendations for operating public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds in the Model Aquatic Health Code.

Some people are more likely to get sick from Legionella, including people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and people with a weakened immune system. These people should see a doctor right away if they develop pneumonia symptoms and let the doctor know about any possible exposures to Legionella, including recent hot tub use.

Protect yourself and your family from germs spread through the water we swim in and share

• Take the following steps to protect yourself and loved ones from germs when swimming in pools, soaking in hot tubs, or visiting water playgrounds: 
• Don’t swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea. If Crypto is the cause of diarrhea, wait until 2 weeks after diarrhea has stopped to go swimming. 
• Check the pools, hot tubs, and water playground inspection scores. 
• Before getting in the water, use a test strip from your local retailer or pool supply store to check if the water’s pH and bromine or free chlorine level are correct. 
• Don’t swallow the water. 
• Take kids on bathroom breaks hourly, and change diapers in a diaper-changing area and away from the water.

…

Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). 

For over 4 decades theLaw Offices of Jon L Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com  has been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Zika: The Next Compensable Infectious Disease - Benefit Challenges Begin

Workers' Compensation insures for the consequences of infectious diseases arising out of and in the course of employment. Is the system ready for a potential onslaught of Zika claims?

The line in the sand has been drawn in the State of Florida, where an infected Miami Beach police officer has been denied benefits. The union has actively supporting the municipal employee in an effort to rule the claim compensable.

The NJ Supreme Court in establishing compensability in an occupational disease cited Justice Learned Hand, “Few adults are not diseased … an infection mastered, though latent, is no longer a disease, industrially speaking, until the individual's resistance is again so far lowered that he succumbs.” Bober v. Independent Plating Corp., 28 N.J. 160, 145 A.2d 463 (1958).

New Jersey Workers Are at High Risk for Asthma

The US Centers for Disease Control reported today that workers in various industries and occupations are at risk for work-related asthma. CDC analyzed data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-back Survey and determined that in 21 states among an estimated 74 million adults employed at some time in the 12 months preceding the interview, 7.7% had current asthma.

Tobacco an Occupational Hazard: The Case Against Cigarette Sales by Pharmacies

Smoking continues to be a two edged sword in workers' compensation claims. Smokers in the workplace cause serious and sometimes fatal consequences to both themselves (synergistically with other toxic substances in the workplace) and their co-workers (environmental tobacco smoke exposures). On the flip side is the employer's defense that the smoking habit is not work-related and a pre-existing or co-existing disease caused by habit and not compensable. Nevertheless, public opinion continues to trend against permissible smoking and for the sale of cigarettes. Today's post is shared from cdc.com :

22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data regarding injuries, deaths, and illness faced by millions every year in the workplace. This week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) issue is devoted to occupational health concerns, in acknowledgment of Workers Memorial Day (April 28th).