Dogs are better than tests at detecting COVID-19 in humans. In a recent French study, the canines detected 97% of 109 people whose PCR test subsequently proved positive, and 91% of those whose PCR test was negative.
In comparison, laboratory tests can identify 72% of symptomatic people with the virus and 58% who don’t have symptoms, The Guardian said.
Although the dogs will not replace PCR testing, researchers said dogs could be trained and used for mass virus screening in crowded places such as airports, train stations and concerts.
Australia, Germany and Britain have experimented with dogs to detect COVID-19, while Finland and the United Arab Emirates have tried sniffer dogs at Helsinki and Dubai international airports.
SOURCE: The Guardian May 20, 2021