Covid-19 detection by dogs

In spring 2020, a joint agreement of cooperation on a research project was signed by the University of Helsinki, HUS, University of Eastern Finland, University of Oulu and NGO Wise Nose - The Smell Detection Association in Finland.

Research aimed first to investigate if trained dogs were able to identify and clearly point out positive samples of Covid-19 from urine and sweat (wiped from skin) samples. The aim of the study was to enable immediate and cost effective early diagnosis of the disease at a strategic site, the Helsinki-Vantaa International airport in Finland.

In addition, two yet to be published studies document how small concentrations trained dogs indicate successfully and how the dogs can be trained to work in smell detection, in order to create cost effective training programs for dogs in the future. 

The project was launched in autumn 2020 by docent Anna Hielm-Björkman and her Dogrisk-research group in cooperation with professor Anu Kantele from HUS, professor Olli Vapalahti from the University of Helsinki, the city of Vantaa, and Wise Nose ry.

The Covid-19 detection dog validation article is now accepted and will soon be published (14.3.2022).