Can dogs sniff out the coronavirus?
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A canine breakthrough?
A trial is on in Britain, to see if dogs can be trained to sniff out patients suffering from coronavirus. Dogs have been trained across the world to spot the scent of malaria, cancer and Parkinson's disease.
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The funding
The trial, backed by £500,000 of government funding, involves scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Durham University.
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Meet the dogs
Six dogs, a mixture of labradors and cocker spaniels, are being trained by Medical Detection Dogs in Milton Keynes.Norman, Digby, Storm, Star, Jasper and Asher will be trained to smell the virus on sterilised socks, stockings and face masks worn by NHS staff in London.
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First phase
In the first phase of the trial, researchers will determine if dogs are able to detect the disease in humans from their odour, even in cases where the infection is asymptomatic.
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Phase 2
After eight weeks' initial training, the successful dogs will move on to a second phase to test them in live situations.It is hoped the scheme will be expanded and dogs will be able to screen up to 250 people per hour, potentially at airports. They could also be used at testing centres.