Should Super Sniffer Dogs Be the New Way of Controlling the Spread of COVID-19 In Public Spaces?

Last updated on March 7, 2021

Probably yes. And here’s why. If you have not read the recent report, titled COVID-19: Scientists have trained sniffer dogs to detect coronavirus with 94% accuracy, I strongly suggest you do. The report highlights the effectiveness of trained sniffer dogs in detecting the smell of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the article, the odor comes from the cells in infected people. The dogs can sniff out individuals with and without infections, as well as with and without symptoms.

The sweat odor of people with the virus is different from those who do not have it, and dogs can detect the difference.

Grandjean et al., June 2020

The trained dogs were able to detect the virus in human saliva with 94% accuracy. However, Finland, the first country to put sniffer dogs to work, has reported approximately 100% accuracy in sniffing out the virus among travelers at the Helsinki Airport. A similar trial started at Dubai international airport in late 2020. Researchers in Australia, France, Chile, and Britain are reportedly working on similar projects.

A dog is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus within 10 seconds.

The Guardian, 2020

These impressive results present a cheap, quick, and effective option to screen for the virus in busy public spaces – specifically at airports, concerts, hospitals, care homes, community events, malls, and even grocery stores. Imagine walking towards a store and woof! You are alerted that you are COVID+. On the bright side, this protects the public’s health.

Sniffer dogs

Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell with around 220 million smell receptors — in contrast to 5-10 million in people. The groundbreaking book, titled Doctor Dogs: How Our Best Friends Are Becoming Our Best Medicine, highlights MDs’ (medical dogs) contributions to medicine globally.

Other diseases sniffer dogs detect:

1. Malaria
2. Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia)
3. High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia)
4. Antibiotic-resistant microbes such as Clostridioides difficile (a germ that causes severe diarrhea)
5. Migraines
6. Seizures
7. Narcolepsy (a sleep disorder)
8. Parkinson disease
9. Cancer (skin, breast, and bladder cancer)
10. Fear
11. Stress
12. Anxiety

Non-Sniffer dogs tests for COVID-19

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is relatively new. And yet to be evaluated are the reliability and accuracy of some of the tests. However, there are two types of tests currently in use:

• Diagnostic test: lets you know if you are currently infected.
  • PCR Test: Also known as the molecular test, it is sensitive and accurate. It can detect molecular materials from the virus. The collection of samples for this test is via nasal or throat swab, or you can spit into a tube to produce a saliva sample.
  • Antigen Test: This test detects specific proteins in the virus within minutes. It is not very accurate and may require further testing. Obtained samples are from a nose swab.

• Antibody Test -Also called serologic test. It lets you know if you have ever had exposure to this virus. However, it is unclear if the virus currently infects you. Right now, researchers are unsure if the presence of antibodies means that you are immune to COVID-19 in the future.

The accuracy of a COVID-19 test depends on:

1. The type of test
2. The type of sample tested
3. How the specimen was collected
4. The duration of illness
5. Proper handling of samples and test materials by the health professional

No medical test is 100% accurate for many reasons, including:

1. Human Error
2. Procedural Mistakes
3. Timing of the test
4. False Negatives
5. False Positives

Thus, it is essential to continue to follow CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines such as:

1. Put on a mask
2. Stay 6 feet away from everyone else when outdoors and about 10 feet away from people when indoors.
3. Avoid crowds
4. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
5. Use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% or more alcohol.
6. Follow CDC travel tips.
7. Follow post-COVID-19 exposure and quarantine guidelines.
8. Follow all recommended workplace and safety guidelines.
9. Wipe frequently touched surfaces
10. Avoid touching face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

The verdict: Sniffer dogs

Sniffer dogs working to help sniff out infected people will be a complementary aid to protecting public health. That is in addition to the best practices outlined above.

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