Scientists at the University of Adelaide in Australia are training dogs to detect Covid-19.
Researchers from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the university are training sniffer dogs, including English springer spaniel Floki, to identify Covid-19 in people.
The study is part of an international research effort aimed at training Covid-19 detection dogs who could be used to screen people for coronavirus at places including airports, hospitals or quarantine facilities.
The dogs taking part in the study at the University of Adelaide are being trained to pick the positive Covid-19 sweat sample from a line-up of samples, using positive reinforcement in the form of play with their favourite toy for each correct answer.
Early results also show dogs trained in this way are able to identify infected individuals prior to the development of symptoms, or in those who are otherwise asymptomatic.
