| FLUSHING,
New York - Flushing Hospital Medical Center was host to a major
symposium entitled "West Nile, SARS & Beyond; The threat
of newly emerging infectious diseases" on Thursday, July
24 featuring nationally recognized speakers on this most important
and timely subject.
The five-hour conference covered such diverse topics as:
o West Nile
o Anthrax
o Smallpox
o SARS
o Methods of surveillance
o Public Communications During and Outbreak
o And, Regional preparedness and Response
In 1999, Dr. Deborah Asnis at Flushing Hospital Medical Center
was the first healthcare professional to recognize the symptoms
of West Nile Virus and sound the alarm in New York City. As
a result, Flushing Hospital has kept close ties with government
health agencies and has treated more cases of West Nile Virus
than anywhere else in the country since that time.
In view of the growing concern of newly emerging infectious
diseases - both naturally occurring and of terrorist origin
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center recognized the need for
an educational forum to address preparedness issues. Over
150 healthcare professionals from around the region registered
for the event, and attendees were provided with fascinating
insights on both past and current incidents.
The country’s experience with Anthrax in 2001 provided
insight into public communications during a bioterrorist incident,
and the recent SARS outbreak encouraged continued vigilance.
"The recent emergence and rapid spread of SARS makes
the need for this symposium particularly compelling,"
said Dr. Robert Crupi, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Flushing
Hospital. "Overall, the information presented was thought
to be extremely useful by the healthcare professionals attending."
The noted speakers included Dr. Rebecca Young from Johns
Hopkins, Joel Ackelsberg, M.D., Elsie Lee, M.D., and Don Weiss,
M.D.MPH from the New York City Department of Health, Susan
Waltman, Esq. of the Greater New York Hospital Association
and Dr. Deborah Asnis, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Flushing
Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. Deborah Asnis
Chief of Infectious Diseases
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
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