Plea for our sweaty Covid clothes to train virus sniffer dogs
COVID-19 sufferers who are displaying only minor symptoms have been asked to donate their sweaty clothes to help train sniffer dogs to detect the virus.
The unusual call was issued in the North West of England, where scientists are hoping the rising infection rate could present an opportunity to examine whether the dogs can pick up the scent of asymptomatic carriers.
Dogs are able to sniff out conditions such as cancer and now coronavirus “odour samples” are to be used as part of a testing programme.
Since May, a government-backed initiative at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medical (LSHTM) has been training three cocker spaniels, two labradors and a labradoodle. There could be huge implications if the dogs can detect the condition and researchers said the sniffer dogs could help screen 250 people an hour to help identify asymptomatic sufferers.
People in the North West are being asked to help as the region has seen a particularly sharp recent upswing in Covid-19 cases, resulting in parts of Greater Manchester and east Lancashire re-entering lockdown.
Researchers are recruiting people who have mild Covid-19 symptoms and are due to have a swab test, or have just had one. The volunteers will provide samples of breath and body odour by wearing a mask for three hours and nylon socks and a T-shirt for 12 hours.
Scientists hope to collect 325 positive and 675 negative samples to fully test the dogs’ accuracy. Researchers will also analyse the samples to identify compounds in odours that can signify whether someone is infected with Covid-19.
Samples will then go to the Medical Detection Dogs’ training centre in Milton Keynes, where the animals will be trained to identify the virus samples.
“If successful, this trial could revolutionise how we diagnose the virus,” said Prof James Logan, project lead and head of the Department of Disease Control at the LSHTM.
“Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives to some sort of normality,” he added. If the trial is successful it is hoped the dogs’ duties will include airport deployment to screen arrivals.
Claire Guest, the chief executive of Medical Detection Dogs, said: “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.”
Prof Steve Lindsay, from the Department of Biosciences at Durham University, said: “If we can show that our trained dogs can identify people carrying the virus but who are not sick, it will be a game changer.
“We will be able to scale up the use of dogs to identify travellers entering the country with the virus. This could be very important to help prevent a second wave.”
Those in a position to help are urged to call 0207 927 2777.
‘If our trained dogs can identify people carrying the virus but who are not sick, it will be a game changer’