27 Sep

United States: 2017 Biggest Influenza Outbreak in Decades

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United States
2017-2018 Biggest Influenza Outbreak in Decades
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 80,000 people died of the flu in the 2017-2018 season – the deadliest in over 40 years since 1976. The severity of the flu season is based on flu activity, hospitalizations, and deaths from pneumonia or influenza. What makes last year remarkable was how high the activity was across the country. Unlike previous seasons, last season the flu did not hit one region and then move across the country, but: “There were three consecutive weeks when the entire continental US was affected by flu at a very high level,” said CDC spokeswoman. The CDC has said the 2018 flu season is already so active and widespread, the agency declared it an epidemic and urged people to get vaccinated. This interactive map depicts how the influenza virus spread in the 2017-2018 flu season. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source:  Time 
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Japan
Typhoon Trami
A category 2 Typhoon named Trami is expected to make landfall at the Ryukyu islands, in the South of Japan around Friday night into Saturday morning. Forecasts are predicting winds up to 125 mph (200 kph) and heavy rainfall even before the typhoon hits – which can cause landslides. Due to the slow movement of the typhoon, citizens have enough time to prepare and evacuate. At first, Taiwan was at also expected to be hit, but it probably will escape the worst impacts. Typhoon Trami is the second typhoon in less than two weeks after super Typhoon Manghkut hit to the Philippines and China. This map depicts the expected path of Typhoon Trami. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: AccuWeather
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Senkaku Islands
Controversial U.S. Bomber Flights
This week the U.S. Air Force conducted two bomber flights over areas considered sensitive by the Chinese military amidst heightened tensions between the two countries. U.S. bombers flew from Guam over the South China Sea, where the Chinese government has built islands with military facilities on disputed features – a “provocative” move. A Pentagon spokesman said the nuclear-capable B-52 bombers also “participated in a regularly scheduled, combined operation in the vicinity of the East China Sea,” and a defense official said they were escorted by Japanese fighter jets and flew near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands to which China lays claim. This map depicts the Senkaku Islands. Click on the map to learn more.

Further Reading:  CNN, Daily Mail, Reuters
Graphic Source:  The Georgia Straight

Yesterday’s Answer

Q: Known as the diner capital of the world, what U.S. state is home to the most diners?

A: New Jersey
New Jersey is home to approximately 525 diners. The Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company, the largest diner manufacturer in the world, is credited with creating and popularizing the traditional diner – characterized by a long, narrow building evocative of a railroad car for easy transport by train.

Source 

Today’s Question

 

Q:  What place on earth is closest to the moon?

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