Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Yucatán acquires German shepherds trained to sniff out Covid

Yucátan has two new weapons in the fight against Covid-19: Hocky and Kadet are German shepherds specially trained to detect cases of the disease based on smell.

The dogs are now part of the K-9 unit of the state’s Ministry of Public Security (SSP).

The dogs were born in Poland and Slovenia but trained in a special program in San Antonio, Texas, said Yucátan Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal. There, they learned a new technique designed by French doctor Dominique Grandjean in which the dogs detect Covid-positive patients by smelling their underarm sweat. Studies show that the technique is 95% effective.

The new K-9 unit members were acquired as part of a transfer of gear and resources from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), arranged through the U.S. consulate in Mérida.

The INL also provided the Yucátan SSP with canine instructor training, five Ford Explorers modified for canine transportation, and eight dogs trained to detect drugs, weapons and cash.

With reports from Infobae

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.

New ‘home office law’ takes effect in Mexico

0
Regulation approved in June for remote workers in Mexico, including reimbursements and the right to disconnect, went into effect on Tuesday.
Tesla vehicles on a trailer

Got 1 min? Elon Musk says ‘next-gen’ Tesla vehicles to be made in Mexico

0
In an interview, Musk said the manufacturing innovations of Tesla's low-cost electric vehicles will "blow people's minds."

Austrian firm to invest over US $100M in expanding Guanajuato plant

0
Manufacturer ZKW, which supplies automakers such as BMW and Volvo, will further expand in Silao to better serve the North American market.