How Helsinki Airport is using dogs to fight COVID-19

In a bid to test new and efficient ways of reducing the spread of COVID-19, the operators of Helsinki Airport have enlisted some canine help

Four dogs trained to detect COVID-19 have begun work sniffing passenger samples at Helsinki Airport in Finland. Researchers hope that the dogs will provide an efficient method of testing passengers upon their arrival.

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The dogs can detect the virus with near 100% accuracy. Finavia Corp

Detecting the virus is relatively simple for dogs and the results have so far been encouraging. According to preliminary tests conducted by a research group at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Helsinki, dogs can smell the virus with almost 100% accuracy. They can also identify the virus days before the symptoms have even started – something that laboratory tests fail to do.

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A total of ten dogs are being training while four are on shift at a time. Finavia Corp

Ulla Lettijeff, airport director from Finavia, commented: “We are among the pioneers. As far as we know no other airport has attempted to use canine scent detection on such a large scale against COVID-19. We are pleased with the city of Vantaa’s initiative. This might be an additional step forward on the way to beating COVID-19.”

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Passengers create a sample for the dog to sniff by rubbing a wipe on their wrist. Finavia Corp

Taking a dog test at the facility does not include direct contact with the animal. Instead, the dog will perform its work in a separate booth and those taking the test will wipe their skin with a test wipe and drop it into a cup, which is then given to the dog. This also protects the dog’s handler from infections. All the tests are processed anonymously.

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Almost all of the dogs have done scent detection before. Finavia Corp

If the test result is positive, the passenger will be directed to a health information point maintained by the city of Vantaa, which is located at the airport.

A total of ten dogs are being training for the job, but only four will be on shift at one time.