As India copes with the spread of swine flu, we are beginning to see a more forms of collaboration.

This site was put together not be people in healthcare, but by some Indian techies.

Swinefluindia.com

After one of them got sick, and fanatically searching for information about the virus and testing, they decided to ‘bridge the information gap’ and put together the site. It has contact information for hospitals and quarantine centers in several cities etc.

• Another map lets you check the number of documented cases.

• Google’s Flu Tracker now has more detailed views (as the one above).

Here at the Decision Theater, we have moved into a new phase of using visualization as a planning tool for emergency planning exercises. Software that enable training of healthcare workers, volunteers and those planning the logistics of dispensing medication or treatment in the event of an outbreak.

Visualization by itself is not enough, unless it is (a) connected to data and has the ability for people to input data to make it smarter; (b) it lets you adjust behaviors to make intelligent responses.