Covid-19 dogs started working at Helsinki Airport on Tuesday as part of a pilot experiment.
It is believed that dogs’ sensitive noses can detect passengers carrying covid-19 faster than usual tests.
Helsinki Finavia Airport Director Ulla Lettijeff said:
“We are among the pioneers. As far as we know, no other airport has started such large-scale dog nose detection work against covid-19. This could be a new step towards defeating covid-19 “
According to preliminary studies conducted by a research group at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Helsinki, dogs can detect the virus with almost 100% accuracy. They can also do this days before symptoms start, unlike lab tests.
At the airport, dogs do not smell people directly, they do their work in a separate stand. The test takers wipe their skin with a tissue and put it in a glass. The sample is then given to the dog to sniff. Passengers who test positive are directed to the health unit at the airport.
Within the scope of the project, 10 dogs started their duties in shifts at the first stage.
