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RSSEpiscopal Relief & Development Prepares for Flu Season
September 14, 2009
In the face of an international H1N1 flu pandemic and the approach of the regular influenza season, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing resources and information to help people prepare in the event of a public health emergency.
According to Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a new study estimates that the recent outbreak of H1N1 (also known as swine flu) infected more than one million Americans, including 800,000 in New York City.
“National and local health officials will take the lead in responding to a pandemic, and faith-based and community-based organizations are here to equip people with critical information,” said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President for Programs.
On June 11, the World Health Organization stated that a worldwide H1N1 pandemic is underway. WHO estimates that due to lack of immunity against the new virus, one-third of the global population will become infected with H1N1—far higher than the typical seasonal flu infection rate of 5% to 20%.
Episcopal Relief & Development is maintaining regular contact with national and local public health officials. “Our U.S. disaster response and preparedness staff are staying up to date on the public health situation, and on our website we have compiled current data and links to online information,” Nelson said.
“We hope that these materials will help Episcopalians and the general community to be prepared and know what to do in the face of a pandemic, including assessing individual health needs and seeking care with medical providers if they become ill.”
Information on preparing for potential H1N1 and other influenza outbreaks is available on the Episcopal Relief & Development website. The site links to examples of preparedness plans and provides resources that can help faith-based and other organizations continue operating effectively and provide support to communities affected by a health crisis.
For more information, visit www.er-d.org/PlanningforPandemicInfluenza. To support Episcopal Relief & Development’s domestic disaster programs, please make an online donation to the Disaster Response Fund at https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can also be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
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.
