Deborah Susan Asnis (July 17, 1956 – September 12, 2015, aged 59) was an American infectious disease specialist and H.I.V. clinical researcher, who is credited with reporting the first human cases of West Nile virus in the United States. Asnis had been praised for reporting her patients' symptoms to authorities. Not only did her actions lead to the discovery of the West Nile virus in the United States, but, by alerting authorities, Asnis likely prevented a more widespread initial outbreak of West Nile in the country.