Watch: Indian Army canines get training for COVID-19 real-time detection

The Indian Army dogs have been trained for real-time detection of COVID-19 pandemic. They can identify coronavirus using sweat and urine samples. Labradors and indigenous breed Chippiparai were being trained on the urine samples. Cocker Spaniels have been trained on sweat samples. Based on samples’ data tested till now, their sensitivity is over 95%. Cocker Spaniel named Casper and two dogs of indigenous breed Chippiparai, Jaya and Mani participated in the demonstration. Speaking to ANI, trainer of Army dogs, Colonel Surender Saini said, “We have conducted trials and operationally deployed dogs. Detection is real-time. Dogs can’t get infected as samples used (urine and sweat) are sterile and don’t contain the virus.” “It only contains a volatile metabolic biomarker which is the signature of COVID-19,” he added.