wfn.org | ABCUSA: Prayer Requested Amidst Virus Outbreak

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

by Eleanor P. Lundy, American Baptist International Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/27/03)--American Baptist
International Ministries is calling for prayer for those living in
uncertainty about the dangers of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a
pneumonia-like illness that has already sickened hundreds in Hong Kong,
China and elsewhere.  The number of cases is spreading rapidly in several
countries and the global death toll is increasing daily.  

According to news reports health officials are taking unprecedented steps to
stop the spread of the potentially deadly virus amid fresh fears that air
travel is worsening the outbreak.  On Tuesday officials asked some 245
passengers and crew on two Air China flights between Beijing and Hong Kong
to contact the Department of Health immediately and to remain in Hong Kong.
Some schools are closed, and surgical masks are being distributed to those
using public transportation. 

"We are asking all American Baptists to join together in praying about this
situation-especially for our missionaries and churches in Hong Kong and in
mainland China," said the Rev. Benjamin S.L. Chan, International Ministries'
area director for East Asia and India.	American Baptist missionaries in the
affected area include John and Janine Gravley, who serve in Hong Kong, and
Judith Sutterlin and Marie McCulley, both serving in mainland China. 

Several tourists who were on a March 15 flight from Hong Kong to Beijing
were confirmed to be suffering from viral pneumonia and are in stable
condition after admission to various hospitals.  Officials believe the
tourists caught the SARS virus from another passenger, a man from mainland
China, raising new questions about the origin of the virus. 

Hong Kong and China remain the most seriously affected areas in the world,
with hundreds of reported cases. According to the World Health Organization
the illness has killed 17 people so far-including 10 deaths in Hong Kong-and
sickened more than 480 in 13 countries. 

American Baptist churches, regions and other institutions planning to send
teams to the 14th Baptist Youth World Conference, sponsored by the Baptist
World Alliance on July 16-20 in Hong Kong, may contact Jonathan Hilsher in
International Ministries' Volunteer Missions Program at 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2164
for updated information.  For information about the Youth World Conference
visit the Baptist World Alliance website (www.bwanet.org).

K/2003ABNS/03ABN47

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org