NC public health director warns about budget cuts

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s public health director is warning that severe budget cuts could hurt the ability to respond to flu outbreaks later this year.

The News & Observer reported Friday that Dr. Jeffrey Engel said he expects a possibly nastier version of the H1N1 swine flu virus when the weather gets colder and people are forced indoors where germs spread easier.

Engel said an outbreak of flu could overwhelm hospitals and health departments that already lack enough resources.

He made his comments as the North Carolina House considers budget cuts to make up more than $4 billion in lost revenue.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)