Dr. Rick Conetta and TV Host Dr. Alexander van Tulleken
During the summer of 1999, Queens became the epicenter of the first West Nile Virus outbreak in the United States.
The chain of events began when patients were taken to Flushing Hospital with unusual symptoms that alarmed staff and prompted them to conduct a medical investigation that is still described by many as a superb case of medical sleuthing.
The findings from the investigation submitted by the hospital’s team of doctors which included the late Dr. Deborah Asnis, Dr. Rick Conetta and others helped the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies to solve one of the most renowned medical mysteries of that time.
Although the events that led to this discovery occurred several years ago, many are still intrigued and continue to share the story to this day.
In fact, this summer, a production company associated with MSNBC TV visited Flushing Hospital to film a documentary about solving medical mysteries. The host, Dr. Alexander van Tulleken, best known for his work during the Ebola outbreak, interviewed Dr. Rick Conetta, Flushing Hospital’s Director of Critical Care about the significant role the hospital played in discovering the West Nile virus.
Dr. Conetta later invited the TV host to take a supervised tour of the units and facilities in the hospital that served as the locations in which the mystery illness was first observed, researched, treated and reported. This included the Three West Nursing Station, the Medical Library and the hospital’s laboratory.
The two wrapped up the interview with the notion that if not for the diligence of the staff at Flushing Hospital, it was quite possible that the symptoms of the West Nile virus would not have been identified as quickly and the disease could have spread more widely. Their quick actions saved many lives.
The show is still in its productions stages but is scheduled to air next year and is tentatively titled, “The Chain.” The Department of Public Affairs will provide updates about possible air dates.
Over the years Flushing Hospital has built a reputation in the community for being sensitive to the needs of patients and going above and beyond to provide quality medical care. The dedication of the hospital’s staff resonates in achievements such as serving as the epicenter for the discovery of the West Nile virus to making certain that each day; all patients who enter our doors receive quality health care.