Rapid and sensitive detection of cells and viruses

A method for detecting individual target cells or viruses in a liquid sample, wherein said sample is added to a container comprising a detection surface and said targets measure less than 50 microns in at least two orthogonal dimensions,

• wherein said method comprises the steps of:
• a. contacting said individual targets with one or more signaling moieties that specifically bind to the targets,
• b. depositing said targets on said detection surface so that they are randomly dispersed in a detection zone comprising a detection area at a density of less than 100 target cells per mm2,
• c. illuminating said individual targets to generate a detectable signal from said one or more signaling moieties, and
• d. simultaneously detecting said individual targets by detecting said signal in a section of said detection area using a photoelectric detector, wherein the longest linear dimension of said section is greater than 1 mm, using magnification of less than or equal to 5 times, wherein said one or more signaling moieties that do not bind to said targets are not removed from said container prior to said detecting.