Chembio Diagnostics To Sponsor 2014 AIDS Walk New York

MEDFORD, NY, May 16, 2014 -- Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CEMI), a leader in point-of-care diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, today announced that the company is a proud sponsor of the 29^th Annual AIDS Walk New York, which takes place this Sunday, May 18, 2014.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 1.1 million Americans with HIV and approximately 208,000 of them are unaware of their status. Those who do not know they are HIV positive are unknowingly responsible for up to 70% of the estimated 50,000 new cases of HIV infection that occur each year.

"This is the fifth year that Chembio has sponsored AIDS Walk New York and the important work the organization does to promote testing and prevent the spread of AIDS in the New York community," stated John Sperzel, Chembio CEO. "Despite the many advances made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, there remains much to be done to lower the rate of new infections. Chembio believes that early and accurate testing is a critical tool in the battle to improve the health of those living with HIV/AIDS and lower the incidence of new infections."

New York leads the nation in the number of new HIV cases. More than 114,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV/AIDS, and yet 20% do not know they are infected. The funds raised at AIDS Walk New York 2014 support the services provided by GMHC and more than 40 other AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area.

Adding visibility to this important event, the AIDS Walk organization and GMHC have been invited to ring the NASDAQ market closing bell today, Friday, May 16 at 4:00pm Eastern. As a long-time advocate and sponsor of AIDS Walk, Mr. Sperzel and Margery Rothenberg, Chembio's Senior Director of Global Marketing, have been invited to represent Chembio at the bell ringing.

About AIDS Walk New York
In its 28 years, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk, and millions more to donate, raising more than $128 million to combat HIV and AIDS. The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline that sustains GMHC's prevention, care, and advocacy programs for the thousands of men, women, and families affected by the disease in the tri-state area.

About Chembio Diagnostics

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. develops, manufactures, licenses and markets proprietary rapid diagnostic tests in the growing $10 billion point-of-care testing market. Chembio's two FDA PMA-approved, CLIA-waived, rapid HIV tests are marketed in the U.S. by Alere, Inc. (formerly, Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc.). Chembio markets its HIV STAT-PAK® line of rapid HIV tests internationally to government and donor-funded programs directly and through distributors. Chembio has developed a patented point-of-care test platform technology, the Dual Path Platform (DPP®) technology, which has significant advantages over lateral-flow technologies. This technology is providing Chembio with a significant pipeline of business opportunities for the development and manufacture of new products based on DPP®. Headquartered in Medford, NY, with approximately 200 employees, Chembio is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is certified for the global market under the International Standards Organization (ISO) directive 13.485. For more information, please visit: www.chembio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained herein that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements, which are estimates only, reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to Chembio's ability to obtain additional financing and to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner, as well as the demand for Chembio's products. Chembio undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in Chembio's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact Chembio's success are more fully disclosed in Chembio's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:

Chembio Diagnostics
Susan Norcott
(631) 924-1135, ext. 125
snorcott@chembio.com

Vida Strategic Partners (investor relations)
Stephanie C. Diaz
(415) 675-7401
sdiaz@vidasp.com