As everyone knows, documentation detailing the original outbreaks in the United States is sparse at best. Attached is one of the more complete records of an initial outbreak in 2011-2012.  The chain shows the source of the May 2012 Flushing Outbreak, one of the first outbreaks in New York City that attracted media attention.

Monticello Tribune article, November 15th 2011.

No sign of missing hunter near Lake Louise-Marie

Authorities have called off the search for Tusten Resident John Groden, 25 who was reported as missing 2 weeks ago by his wife.   Mr. Groden left his house the morning of 11/01/11 to hunt deer near Lake Louise-Marie. After he failed to return home the next evening his wife called police to file a missing persons report.

A thorough search of Mr. Groden’s preferred hunting area revealed a severely damaged hunter’s blind, an empty Springfield rifle, spent shell casings and various scraps of clothing.  Police will not officially comment but the un-official conclusion is that Mr. Groden was a victim of an animal attack. A representative for the family is calling for the search to continue.

The disappearance of Mr. Groden comes just months after the disappearance of 5 hikers 10 miles north of the lake. The hikers, a family from Staten Island NY signed in at a trail log book on July 17th 2011 and have not been seen or heard from since. An intensive search of the area was conducted for 3 weeks after the disappearance. The search, however, was hampered by the remnants of Hurricane Bernice that drenched the area with 8 inches of rain 2 days after the search was started.

New York State Police

Incident Report

5/12/2012, 6:00 AM

NYSP received a call from the complainants on 5/12/12 from a cell phone belonging to Mike Renald (MR). Complainant reported an attack on their group while camping near Lake Louise Marie, resulting in injuries to several of their group members. Complainant was directed to drive to Monticello Hospital Trauma Center, where they would be met by State Police.

Complainant MR stated:

The complainant’s group consisted of 3 males MR, Tom Gribben (TG), Steven Wallen (SW) and 3 females, Annie Ryan (AR) Michelle Gribben (MG) and Stacy Jones (SJ). The complainants were camping ½ a mile south of Lake Louise Marie. Complainants state that around 12:30 AM they heard the sound of a person “shuffling” towards them from the direction of the lake accompanied by a low rasping moan. Upon shining their flashlights towards the sound of the noise, the complainants observed a “very dirty” injured, partially clothed male approaching them with arms outstretched. AR approached the suspect to render aid when the suspect bit AR on the hand. AR retreated to the group, while MR and TG attempted to subdue the suspect. The suspect proceeded to bite TG on the arm before MR was able to trip the suspect to the ground.  SJ and SW approached TG to render aid, when the unfazed suspect crawled to SW and bit him on the leg. At this time SJ grabbed an entrenching shovel the group had brought with them and struck the suspect on the head several times. This disabled the suspect.  At this time the complainants heard additional moaning coming from the direction of the lake, and noted several shapes approaching the campfire. At this time the complainants entered 2 of the 3 cars used to drive to the campsite and then in haste drove down the access road towards route 17.

Once in cell phone range complainants called NYSP.

NYSP investigation of the site revealed 1 body near the smoldering campfire. The body had severe trauma to the skull, several bite marks scattered about the arms and torso, and grayish skin coloration. Investigation revealed a wallet in the right pants pocket with an NYS Driver’s License issued to John Groden of Tusten, NY. Footprints from several other individuals were observed leading to and from Lake Louise Marie, but no other individuals were observed.  Positive identification of the 1 body found will need to wait on fingerprinting and/or Dental ID as the face is unrecognizable from the above mentioned head trauma.

Monticello Hospital Trauma Center

Post-Treatment summary

5/12/2012, 4:00 P.M.

Dr. Vijay Patel: Attending Physician.

Patient Annie Ryan was brought in with a human bite wound located on her right hand. Patient reported that bite was caused by a white male, mid-20s. Bite was located on the palm, extending from ½” below the 5th digit to ½” from the wrist. No major loss of flesh was noted. Skin breakage extended the length of the bite on both sides, obvious teeth marks present. Wound appeared clotted, no visible sign of infection.

Wound was treated with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide and dressed. Patient was given a prescription for Ciprofloxin, 10 day regimen.  Patient oxygen saturation at 90%, lower than normal but without patient history for comparison unable to determine if this is an abnormal situation. Patient temperature and blood pressure were normal. Patient noted dull throbbing pain at point of injury. Patient advised to take non prescription pain reliever. Patient was released and advised to check in with their primary care physician in Flushing NY.

Recording by Dr. Jennifer Moltz, Coroner, Sullivan County NY

“This is an unofficial preliminary report on the autopsy of John Groden. Honestly I want to record this and listen to myself before writing any of this down. The body was brought to me at 2 PM. Time of death was estimated to be around 1:00 AM 5/12/12.  Body temperature was ambient. Damage to body included severe trauma to skull and multiple bite marks on arms and torso. Despite estimated duration between death and this autopsy of less than 24 hours the skin appears gray and leathery.  Attempts to drain the blood from the body resulted in no fluid flow. Cutting of femoral artery resulted in a slight drip of a black viscous fluid. Femoral artery contained dried congealed blood. The black fluid also coated the brain cavity. The entire frontal lobe is missing from the skull. The remaining brain structure is abnormal, and is also coated in the black fluid.   Examination of the organs revealed they have all hardened. The stomach contains mechanically pulverized, undigested rotting pieces of meat (type unknown), this material having ruptured the stomach and spilling into the abdominal cavity. The material has also forced its way down the intestines, which are distended. Again there is a complete lack of blood, dried or otherwise in the abdominal cavity despite the damage to the stomach and other organs.  Also unusual is a complete lack of rigor mortis.  The state of the remaining clothes of the victim denotes submergence in water for a period of time. While the body exhibits some indicators for extended submergence, this is not possible as the victim was only killed 14 hours prior. The condition of the skin and the congealing of bodily fluids would seem to indicate not only a time of death weeks to months in the past, but also the use of a preservative method on the corpse at the time of death.

I am going to repeat my investigation and return to listen to this recording prior to writing my report. Honestly none of this makes any sense.”

From: DrVAreltta@NYHMCQueens.com

To: DrCGrimes@NYHMCQueens.com

Subject: Please stop by the ER as soon as possible.

Date/Time 5/15/2012 5:45 AM

Dr Grimes:

When you get in to work this morning, please stop by the ER as soon as possible. We currently have 3 cases of a possible infectious agent that my ER staff is having trouble identifying, and I would like a consult from Infectious Diseases.

Patient Annie Ryan is typical of the cases we are seeing. Patient has a high fever, 103F, coupled with improbably low oxygen saturation, blood pressure and pulse.  Blood sample appears to be contaminated with a black particulate. Patient is barely responsive, shivering violently and reacts as if in pain whenever touched or a limb is moved. Patient appears to have a bite wound on her right hand. No sign of infection is present at the point of the wound. No bleeding is observed from the wound.

All three patients exhibit similar symptoms. According to one of their friends all 3 were bitten by the same individual, who is now deceased (from head trauma, not from the infection).  All 3 were treated at the Monticello trauma center, and I have placed a call regarding procuring any records of this treatment. We are waiting on toxicology and microbiology tests. Current treatment consists of ice packs to reduce fever, a morphine drip for pain alleviation, and an IV drip for hydration.

We have taken normal aerosol spread precautions. All 3 patients are isolated, and proper protective methods have been applied. None of the patients seem to be exhibiting any coughing or sneezing at this time.

Transcript: New York City 911 call center

5/15/2012 11:15 A.M.

Call From: New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens

Operator: 911, what is the nature of the emergency?

Caller: Send Police! Send Police!  {sounds of yelling, screaming and gunfire in background}

Operator: Sir what is the nature of the emergency?

Caller: They are attacking everyone!  {gunshots}

Operator: Who is attacking you sir?

Caller: {unintelligible} Rabid patients from the ER, they are attacking people, biting them!  {unintelligible} guards cant stop them, they shoot them and they don’t stop!

Operator: Who is shooting who?

Caller: Security is shooting patients attacking!  They are biting everyone! Everyone is running away! {gunshots, screams}

Operator: we are sending police now, state your location

Caller: New York Hospital Queens ER! Send many police!  {loud moan heard} Go Away! Go Away!

Operator: Please stay on the line

Caller: Go Away! Stop! Don’t Bite! {moaning, screaming}

Operator: Are you there? Police are on the way. Caller, please respond.

{Call lasted 3 more minutes, no response from caller, sounds of gunshots, screams and moaning continued}