State health officials say the swine flu pandemic could begin hitting North Carolina as early as next week while students resume classes.
     
Dr. Jeffrey Engel, the state health director, estimated Tuesday that between 30,000 and 50,000 people in North Carolina have already had the swine flu. Officials believe it is a mild pandemic as there have been only nine reported deaths in the state linked to the virus.
     
Engel said the school year poses specific challenges, with students spending lots of time together in close quarters. He said school officials, families and students need to make sure that people are covering their mouths and noses when sneezing, washing hands and keeping kids home if they're sick.
     
Engel said he expects a vaccine to be available in October.