'Very promising method': Finland deploys coronavirus-sniffing dogs at main airport [View all]

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Source: USA Today

JARI TANNER | ASSOCIATED PRESS
4 hours ago

HELSINKI — Finland has deployed coronavirus-sniffing dogs at the Nordic country’s main international airport in a four-month trial of an alternative testing method that could become a cost-friendly and quick way to identify infected travelers.

Four dogs of different breeds trained by Finland’s Smell Detection Association started working Wednesday at the Helsinki Airport as part of the government-financed trial.

“It’s a very promising method. Dogs are very good at sniffing,” said Anna Hielm-Bjorkman, a University of Helsinki professor of equine and small animal medicine.

“If it works, it will be a good (coronavirus) screening method at any other places,” she said, listing hospitals, ports, elderly people’s homes, sports venues and cultural events among the possible locations where trained dogs could put their snouts to work.

Read more: Link to sourcehttps://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/09/23/coronavirus-sniffing-dogs-finland-starts-trial-main-airport/3502059001/