The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has started the second phase of training for nine sniffer dogs that successfully passed the initial phase of safety distance skills before moving on to detect people infected with Covid-19.
CMAC director-general Heng Ratana told The Post on August 26 that CMAC experts were expanding the training for the nine out of 10 dogs that had passed the initial course.
For the second phase to begin, Ratana said CMAC was waiting for about 60 samples from the Ministry of Health to train the dogs with the ability to smell whether the samples have the coronavirus or not.
He continued that previous samples were from healthy people who carried Covid-19 but no other diseases. In the second stage, the dogs will be trained to differentiate between other diseases such as tuberculosis and diabetes.
Ratana stated that from the initial training, dogs could smell infected people. However, researchers want to determine how far away from people dogs can detect the virus.
“We are testing this skill at a safe distance. Dogs can sniff at 1.5-2m in the air. The technical team is conducting the research,” he said.
Ratana expected that once the second phase of training is completed, the dogs can move on to detect Coivd-19 positive people in public. However, they would only identify people who are suspected of having Covid-19. This is not the same as using a rapid test and other tests to confirm infection, which is the role of health ministry officials.
Mam Malai, former deputy director of Kampong Chhnang provincial health department, welcomed the progress.
He also called on CMAC to continue its efforts and work with relevant authorities in the fight against the pandemic.
“I think these dogs will participate in ensuring a reduction in new infections. Dogs have been used to detect landmines and their role has now evolved to detect Covid-19 as well. This is even better,” he said.