Calbiotech to support Dengue diagnoses

SPRING VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted Calbiotech Inc. to support the development of a Dengue virus diagnosis to help counter the threat to troops in tropical regions.

U.S. company Calbiotech was awarded the phase I contract from the Army Medical Research and Material command. Under the Small Business Innovative Research phase I contract, Calbiotech will develop analyte specific reagents, or compounds, that can be used to diagnosis Dengue virus.

According to a news release, because Dengue fever cases have spread around the world, "U.S. military and civilian personnel deployed overseas are at high risk of being infected."

Officials say providing military medical personnel with an effective way of diagnosing the virus can help counter an outbreak and keep troops safe.