Page 1 of 1

Canine COVID detection

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:19 am
by Grumble
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... r-covid-19

I don’t imagine there are enough trained sniffer dogs to go around to make much difference. How are those artificial noses coming on?

Re: Canine COVID detection

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:33 am
by bob sterman
Glad to see they are using skin wipes rather than having the dogs sniff people directly.

Given that there is evidence of human-to-dog transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2334-5) not sure of the wisdom of having dogs go up close and sniff people who have COVID-19 and then go up close and sniff people who do not (yet) have COVID-19.

Unless you retire the dog (or put it into quarantine) after its first contact with a confirmed human case of COVID-19 (then you'd need a lot of dogs!!).

Re: Canine COVID detection

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:46 am
by veravista
I think you may be underestimating the doggy sense of smell. Our stupid Lab can sniff out a scruffy bite through a couple of layers of clothing and a waterproof jacket - no contact required once they go into third stage sniff mode.