North Carolina has reported a record number of flu deaths in this season of respiratory viruses, health officials said this week.
More than 500 deaths related to the flu for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season were informed, said the North Carolina Human Health and Human Services in a press release on Wednesday. The figure marked the highest total throughout the state since the reports began in 2009.
“These numbers would be even higher without the dedication of the division of the Department of Public Health and Public Health of the NCDHHS that provide education on the flu, distribute vaccines and support the efforts of treatment and prevention in the 100 counties,” said North Carolina’s Secretary and Human Services, Devdutta Sangvai, in a statement.
“His work saves lives every day,” he added.
The deaths related to the flu in the state were almost at the same time with the deaths caused by COVID-19, which is known to be a more serious disease than the flu, according to the centers for disease control and prevention.
The CDC registered approximately 600 COVID-19 deaths in the state between October and April.
Health officials warned that federal fund cuts “have impacted the ability to protect the health and well -being of the Northern Carolinians, leaving the state vulnerable to threats of public health.”
In recent weeks, the Government Efficiency Department led by Elon Musk has been making scarce cuts to the Federal Labor and Financing for Scientific Research throughout the country.
A Doge representative did not immediately respond to the request for comments from NBC News.
Fund cuts led to the elimination of more than 80 jobs and a loss of at least $ 100 million for the department, according to the press release.
“Despite these challenges, confidence in public health is still high,” the statement said.
“This trust is a clear sign that public health is more important than ever,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, director of State Interim Health and Medical Director of NCDHHS, in a press release. “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and impact of our public health teams throughout the State.”
“Now is the time to match that trust with the long -term stable investment in our public health force and infrastructure so that we can continue to protect our communities in the coming years,” Kimple added.
