COVID-19 dogs could be sniffing out cases in months.

[2greys]

University of Adelaide researchers are working with international partners to train sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19 infection.

It is hoped the first COVID-19 detection dogs could be working within months, and would complement existing methods by providing low cost, instantaneous and reliable screening.

Dogs could be deployed in airports and also be used to screen staff in hospitals and travellers in quarantine.

Previous research has shown dogs can detect the presence of specific Volatile Olfactory Compounds (VOCs) caused by a viral infection in people.

adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/ne...

[HungryHufflepuff]

That sounds promising, and an incredible success rate.

[tomc]

I watched batesy dog home programme the other night and was totally amazed at sniffer dog training program.

I think it is wonderful that man's best friend is looking after our health also.

Thanks for the info 2greys.

[Maverick2]

The virus does not release gas of its own. The smelly gas (Volatile Organic Compounds) is released by our own immune system and there lies the difficulty in differentiating the other infections, Asthma and COPD exacerbation. The sensitivity is good but will the specificity be good too in a population setting?

I hope they do not falsely catch people with lung disease.

I wondered why dogs aren't susceptible to COVID-19 infection? Don't they have an ACE receptor?

[Jaybird19]

It was reported being done in UK months ago by a woman the north,I think . cannot remember details but it was on BBC then too. this woman had been training other medical dogs for about 12 years. and was about to start on corvid sniffers but/ not heard any more since. maybe it didn't turn out as promised or we would have heard more . I do think there was something about 12 weeks.

[2greys in reply to Jaybird19]

Yes, I remember posting about that one.

[Jaybird19]

thank you. I'm glad i didnt dream it, but why have we not heard more since

[Ladyindistress79]

I volunteer at a National Trust property ( when they are open) and have met various working dogs with a variety of talents. However, being rather cynical, as I was in the hotel industry, it is very easy to put a jacket on a dog so it can go everywhere with you even places where dogs are banned.

[Jackieshep57]

Brilliant idea!