UAE’s Ministry of Interior officers have successfully finished trials in which they have used K9 sniffer dogs to detect Covid-19 patients. This is a part of country’s preventive and precautionary measure to keep a check on coronavirus infection spread.

Post successful practical examinations and scientific studies the trial has concluded. The sniffer dogs are to be used at the airports and ports specially.

The experiments which were conducted on a large sample size in UAE involved high speed sampling of presumed patients’ armpits. The Ministry of Interior commented, “Samples are then sniffed out by the dogs without coming in contact with the persons, while results become known on the spot. K9 police dogs are also used traditionally in securing and monitoring events and sensitive facilities.”

“It is recorded that the UAE has completed the stage of field experimentation with precedence over a number of countries that are still in advanced stages of studying the extent of the applicability of this innovative scientific practice,” the ministry elaborated.

Various vital sites were included in the field study, which was carried out with cooperation from UAE police general commanders, the Ministry of Health and Community Development, Federal Customs Authority, Department of Customs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Health Authorities and Ministry of Interior.

Ministry of Interior added, “Data and studies showed that detection of presumed Covid-19 cases achieved approximately 92% in overall accuracy.”

The experimental study was conducted on volunteers in field hospitals in various areas of UAE. Necessary precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety of both the K9 dogs and their trainers. Experiments were conducted based on two methods – Direct method involved routine detection work of dog, and the Indirect method was done when dog sniffed sample of presumed Covid-19 case. Ministry commented, “Figures indicate that dogs can quickly detect infected cases, help protect key sites, effectively deal with huge crowds and secure large events, airports, etc.”

The proven capability of dogs to deal with contagious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis was the reason of using dogs to carry out filed study by Ministry of Interior. Various brainstorming workshops were conducted by the Ministry along with cooperating with many counties and experts on studies and discussions to use dogs for detecting Covid-19 patients.

Ministry of Interior said, “Trained detection dogs are known for their extraordinary capabilities and skills that outdo other dogs, especially their strong sense of smell. For this reason, they can be used in police patrols and securing malls, events, airports and other vital facilities.”