The Use and Potential of Biomedical Detection Dogs During a Disease Outbreak

Abstract

Biomedical detection dogs offer incredible advantages during disease outbreaks that are presently unmatched by current technologies, however, dogs still face hurdles of implementation due to lack of inter-governmental cooperation and acceptance by the public health community. Here, we refine the definition of a biomedical detection dog, discuss the potential applications, capabilities, and limitations of biomedical detection dogs in disease outbreak scenarios, and the safety measures that must be considered before and during deployment. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to address and overcome the barriers to acceptance of biomedical detection dogs through a dedicated research and development investment in olfactory sciences.

Calibrating canines—a universal detector calibrant for detection dogs

“…The value and benefits of a UDC are not limited to canines in law enforcement roles. With the expansion of detection canine disciplines addressing everything from contraband (e.g., currency) to forensics (e.g., accelerants), search-and-rescue (e.g., live or deceased humans), and the increasing use of canines in biomedical detection (e.g., COVID), canines are engaging in detection of a burgeoning list of substances ( 16 ). These canines serve vital roles in situations where there is no current method of detection or where the area to be searched is simply too vast to be practicably searched by humans.…”

Sniffer dogs performance is stable over time in detecting COVID-19 positive samples and agrees with the rapid antigen test in the field

“…Based on the assumption that, similarly to a variety of other pathologies, including viral infections 11 , also COVID-19 could produce a unique pattern of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), several laboratories around the world have directed their efforts to train dogs to detect SARS-CoV-2-specifc VOC odour signature in biological samples from infected patients 12 . Olfaction is a dog’s primary special sense 13 , due to several physical characteristics: a uniquely extended olfactory cortex and area of the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity; nostrils shaped so as to enable sufficient odour molecules in the air flow to enter the nasal cavity; an extremely high number of olfactory receptors; a favourable proportion of active/inactive genes of the olfactory receptor proteins 14 .…”