Are dogs the future of coronavirus testing? Research says sniffer dogs can detect Covid with 96% accuracy

Dogs have an elevated sense of smell due to the complex structure of its nose and can detect odours that humans cannot.

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With the second wave of coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc worldwide, researchers and scientists are trying to develop new and fast covid testing methods. To speed up the testing process, several kinds of researches are being conducted from several perspectives.

In April, a research suggested the critical role that sniffer dogs can play in Coronavirus testing. Two groups of researchers have reported separate findings on dogs detecting coronavirus infection in humans with commendable accuracy.

The scientists say that sniffer dogs are trained in way they have the capability to detect various diseases along with drugs and explosives. So, there are high chances that soon dogs can be trained to detect Covid19 in asymptomatic patients as well.

What does the research say

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Research from the University of Pennsylvania and collaborators described how nine trained dogs- eight Labrador retrievers and a Belgian Malinois were able to identify urine samples from patients who were Covid positive. The sniffer dogs showed 96% accuracy.

A similar study was reported by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and collaborators. The study claimed that six trained dogs could identify odour samples from infected people with an accuracy of about 94%.

Does Covid19 have a smell

According to Professor Dominque Grandjean of the National Veterinary school of Alfort, France suggested that “When the virus replicated or make the cell produce its toxic molecules, specific molecules are produced and they have to leave the body as metabolites or catabolites.” “It has been demonstrated that in the exhaled air we could find molecules that are specific to SARS-CoV-2, like an olfactory signature,” he added.

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Why dogs

Dogs are being trained to detect drugs, explosives and even some human diseases and infections for a long time. Dogs have an elevated sense of smell due to the complex structure of its nose and can detect odours that humans cannot.

According to a 2004 study, trained dogs correctly identified urine samples of patients with bladder cancer on 22 out of 54 occasions. And another study suggests that dogs may be able to detect Parkinson’s disease years before the onset of symptoms. In another study, dogs were able to identify malaria-infected children in the Gambia from their foot odours.

Dubai Airport has deployed dogs to detect coronavirus infection among passengers since last year and has become the first to do so. Besides, Finland and Lebanon have conducted trials with detection dogs at the airport.

So far, India has not shown any response in deploying sniffer dogs for virus detection. However, experts believe this can reduce the dependence on RT-PCR tests.


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