National Biological Information Infrastructure

www.nbii.gov

Background: This collaboration between government and private organizations provides information on biological trends and issues that affect the public, including invasive species, conservation and new viral threats.

What works: The site covers the spread of the mosquito-born West Nile virus from all angles.

Here you’ll find news of the virus’ spread, answers to basic questions, and maps showing where West Nile fever has been detected. Though the disease has not yet shown itself in California, experts say it’s only a matter of time.

The site has links to state health departments’ information on the virus, along with tips on how to recognize symptoms of the fever in humans and animals.

It relies on a link to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to answer some of the basic questions it could post itself, but otherwise is well placed to cover a fast-moving viral outbreak that involves animals, insects and ecology, as well as humans and their doctors.