Coronavirus sniffer dog trial launched at Adelaide Airport

Six dogs, including four from the Australian Federal Police, one from the SA Metropolitan Fire Service and one from the University of Adelaide started their training today roaming the terminals and putting their noses to the test.

SA Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews said the trials were important in Australia’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“These trials are still in the early stages, but if they are successful, detector dogs could provide an important screening method to safeguard Australia against COVID-19,” Ms Andrews said.

Ms Andrews said if airport trials are successful, the dogs could be deployed across a range of environments including airports, stadiums and crowded locations to screen large numbers of people quickly and reduce the chance of coronavirus spreading at big events.

The COVID-19 detector dog feasibility trials are a collaboration between the Australian Border Force, the University of Adelaide’s School of Veterinary Sciences, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and SA and NSW state health departments.

This is the third phase of the trials with previous trials being held at Sydney’s International Terminal in March.

Results from the trial will be published later in the year and will advise on its effectiveness for Australian biosecurity and inform on whether more trials are needed.