(JAMA) Dogs trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection by smell correctly identified individuals with active infections at concerts with a specificity of nearly 100% and a sensitivity of 82%, researchers reported in BMJ Global Health. The results suggest that dogs may provide a fast and reliable screening option for public events at which mass screening is required. Eight trained dogs of various breeds were presented with sweat samples from 2802 concertgoers at 4 events in Germany organized for the study. Each person underwent SARS-CoV-2 antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at the concert, but the investigators, dog handlers, and dogs did not know the results. Most of the human participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 but this did not affect the dogs’ ability to detect active infections.
Dogs May Reliably Detect SARS-CoV-2 Infections at Mass Events
