The Efficacy of COVID-19 Detection in Canis lupus familiaris

Morgan Bigalk

doi:10.7273/000003759

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trained scent detection dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) to identify SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) and emerging variants from specific human scent imprints. The efficacy of scent detection dog testing was compared to the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method and qualitatively examined through various published studies conducted throughout the United States. SARS-CoV-2 shows rapid evolutionary rates; therefore, peer-reviewed literature was assessed to determine detection dog capacity to identify new coronavirus variants. Scent detection dogs exhibit great promise of becoming a reliable and immediate COVID-19 testing method, which empirical research demonstrated can be implemented at settings of mass gatherings. The second research method implemented was primary data collection, through the administration of a survey. The survey objective was to collect data on the comfort level of a random U.S. population sample regarding COVID-19 scent detection dogs compared with the at-home testing kit and RT-PCR testing efficacy. The survey was administered to 450 adult participants (limited to those 18 years of age and older) using the for-research survey distribution platform Prolific (https://www.prolific.co/). Prolific distributed the survey nationwide, resulting in the best opportunity for a regional unbiased participant population. The 450 participants were representative of a cross-section of the U.S. demographic. Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Correlation Analysis (CA), and UPGMA Cluster Analysis were applied to examine statistical properties among the 450 respondents based on 23 variables. Results indicated a variety of opinions regarding the employment of COVID-19 scent detection dogs and the reliability of the different COVID-19 testing method types. Overall, this study suggested a lack of knowledge and education in the sample population regarding COVID-19 scent detection dogs. With proper education about the current research, the survey results suggest there may be public support for (COVID-19) detection dog implementation worldwide.

The Efficacy of COVID-19 Detection in Canis lupus familiaris

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