Spectral launches rapid West Nile test in U.S.

Spectral Diagnostics has announced the conclusion of an agreement with Fisher Healthcare, a division of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., for the distribution of its RapidWN West Nile Virus Test in the United States.

Product shipments are expected to begin this month. Distribution channels for the RapidWN are now in place in the United States and in Canada.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has already reported six human cases of West Nile infection in three states as of June 12, 2007, and many states have confirmed the presence of the virus in mosquitoes or avian carriers. The peak incidence of infection typically occurs in August or September of each year.

"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Fisher for the distribution of our RapidWN," stated Mr. Robert Verhagen, Vice President of Business Development for Spectral. "Fisher's large and experienced sales force and its extensive geographic coverage provides a significant opportunity for entry of our product into the U.S. market", added Mr. Verhagen.

http://www.thermofisher.com and http://www.spectraldx.com.