They’re often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’, and now dogs are even helping in the fight against coronavirus.
Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are recruiting volunteers to help train dogs to detect the virus.
The volunteers will be asked to supply samples for the dogs to sniff, to determine whether or not pooches could be used to identify people with Covid-19.
The team is aiming to recruit thousands of people in England who have mild symptoms and are due to have a swab test, or have had a swab test in the previous 24 hours.
If you’re selected, you’ll be asked to provide samples of breath and body by wearing a mask for three hours, and nylon socks and a t-shirt for 12 hours.
Overall, the team aims to collect 325 positive and 675 negative samples.
(Image: PA)
Firstly, the samples will be analysed by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to identify compounds in odour that indicate if someone is infected with Covid-19.
The samples will then be sent to the Medical Detection Dogs’ training centre in Milton Keynes, where six dogs will be trained to identify the virus from the samples.
Professor James Logan, project lead, said: “If successful, this trial could revolutionise how we diagnose the virus.
“Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives back to some sort of normality. A huge thank you to everyone who is supporting this important trial. If you are eligible to join it, we’d love to hear from you.”
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If the trial is a success, the dogs could be deployed in UK airports to help rapidly screen passengers.
Claire Guest, CEO and Co-Founder of Medical Detection Dogs, said: “It is vital that we train our dogs to detect the odour of COVID-19 as soon as possible so we can help ensure people move about freely and safely.
“The latest travel disruptions further highlight the difference the dogs could make. Public support is essential in making this possible.
“Anyone who assists us by providing samples will be playing a part in creating a fast, effective and non-invasive diagnosis for the virus and safer spaces for us all.”
You can find more information here. To apply, please call the team on 0207 927 2777, or send an email to coviddogs@lshtm.ac.uk.
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