<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Dear All,<div><br></div><div>While this threat has not reached a dangerous level, forewarned is forearmed. I ask you to look at the Planning for Pandemic site below.</div><div><br></div><div>Bishop Pierre<br><div><br><div>Début du message réexpédié :</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><br>For Immediate Release Contact: Devon Wallace<br><br>April 27, 2009 (800) 334-7626, ext. 6311<br><br><br><br><br><br>Episcopal Relief & Development Prepares for Potential Swine Flu Pandemic<br><br><br><br>A recent outbreak of swine influenza was confirmed on April 24th, 2009 when eight cases were diagnosed in the United States. Several schools in New York, Texas, California and Ohio are closing this week as a result of students contracting the flu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) declared a public health emergency as a precautionary measure and encourages preparedness. The CDC and the White House assure the public that there is no cause for alarm.<br><br>As part of the Domestic Disaster Response program, Episcopal Relief & Development is closely monitoring the needs related to swine flu by remaining in regular contact with public health officials and authorities on both national and local levels. Episcopal Relief & Development is also reaching out to potential collaborative responders through the network of agencies affiliated with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters <<a href="http://www.nvoad.org/">http://www.nvoad.org/</a>> .<br><br>"Swine flu is currently being handled by the health authorities," said Abagail Nelson, Senior Vice President for Programs at Episcopal Relief & Development. "We are, however, prepared to respond through our church networks should we be needed."<br><br>Extensive information about preparing for the swine flu and other potential pandemic influenza outbreaks is available on Episcopal Relief & Development's web site. This site <<a href="http://www.er-d.org/PlanningforPandemicInfluenza/">http://www.er-d.org/PlanningforPandemicInfluenza/</a>> links to strong examples of pandemic preparedness plans and provides resources that can help people to maintain business continuity and provide for congregational gathering needs should an outbreak occur.<br><br><br>"It is our hope that by preparing for the possibility of an influenza pandemic, the Episcopal community will be better able to protect each other and serve those in need," said Nelson.<br><br>For more information about pandemic influenza visit <a href="http://www.er-d.org/PlanningforPandemicInfluenza">www.er-d.org/PlanningforPandemicInfluenza</a>. To support Episcopal Relief & Development's Domestic Disaster programs, please make a donation online to the Disaster Response Fund at <a href="http://www.er-d.org">www.er-d.org</a> <<a href="http://www.er-d.org/">http://www.er-d.org/</a>> , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.<br><br><br>Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.<br><br><br><br>Luke Fodor<br>Network Coordinator, Office of Church Engagement Programs<br>Episcopal Relief & Development<br>815 Second Avenue<br>New York, NY 10017<br>C: 646-220-9444<br>212-687-5302 (fax) <br><a href="mailto:lfodor@er-d.org">lfodor@er-d.org</a><br><a href="http://www.er-d.org">http://www.er-d.org</a><br><br></span></blockquote></div><br><div apple-content-edited="true"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div>Bishop (Mgr) Pierre Whalon</div><div>Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe</div><div>23, avenue George V</div><div>75008 Paris France</div><div>+33 1 53 23 84 06 (tel)</div><div>+33 1 49 52 96 85 (fax)</div><div><a href="mailto:office@tec-europe.org">office@tec-europe.org</a></div><div><br></div></div></div></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> </div><br></div></body></html>