It won’t be wrong to call the year 2020, the year of coronavirus. With the pandemic taking the first seat and transforming almost every business sector, the world was shook and is still stumbling. Until we find a vaccine for the virus, countries will take all kinds of measures to prevent the spread of this deadly virus that has affected more lives than expected.
It was recently announced, that Dubai has become the first city in the world to recruit specially trained police dogs to vet passengers at the airport. These dogs are 92% accurate when it comes to detecting passengers carrying the coronavirus, reports the DailyMail.
Since sniffing dogs are already able to identify diseases and infections such as cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis and malaria, it was being debated whether they will be able to identify the coronavirus too?
While there are many countries still trying to study and experiment with the dog theory, Dubai has already deployed sniffing dogs at airports, proving they are efficient in virus detection amongst passengers.
Ministry of Interior Dubai said in a statement; “Data and studies showed that detection of presumed Covid-19 cases achieved approximately 92 percent in overall accuracy. 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 process is quick, effective and very easy. When passengers arrive at the Dubai airport, they undergo a special testing facility area where sample of their smell are drawn from their armpits. This is a less invasive procedure as opposed to the nasal probing being conducted up until now.
The sample is taken to separate room where the dog then sniffs it through a funnel like device, while the passenger awaits. If the dog detects traces of the virus in the sample provided, the passenger is hen accompanied to a nasal PCR test. There is no contact between the person and the dog and the canine detects the virus within seconds.
The 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.”
At present, the UAE authorities are using the canine testing as an added method of protection. All the arriving passengers must have a negative PCR test certificate before boarding flights.
The UAE has reported almost 61,163 positive cases and 351 deaths due to the coronavirus.
What do you think of this step taken by Dubai airport? Should other countries follow suit?
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