Scientists in the UK and The Gambia say they have the first evidence that dogs can sniff out malaria.
They have trained dogs to recognise tell-tale aromas using clothes from people infected with the disease.
It is hoped the animals can be used to stop malaria spreading and eventually help with eradication.
Although the research is still at an early stage, experts say the findings may even lead to new ways of testing for the disease.
Studies have already shown that being infected with the malaria parasite changes our aroma to make us more attractive to the mosquitoes that spread the disease.
Now dogs are on the scent, too.
Smelly socks
Socks worn overnight by children in the Upper River Region of The Gambia, in West Africa, were packaged and shipped to the UK.
Of the 175 pairs sent, 30 had been worn by children infected with the parasite.
The smelly footwear arrived at the Medical Detection Dogs charity in Milton Keynes.
The supremely talented noses there are already being trained to sniff out cancer and even the early stages of Parkinson's disease.
When it came to spotting malaria, the results, presented at the annual conference of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, showed dogs could pick out seven in 10 samples from infected children.
Image copyrightLSHTM
But they also incorrectly thought one in 10 healthy children had malaria.
Lead researcher Prof Steve Lindsay, from Durham University, said he was "really excited" by the findings so far, but that dogs were not yet ready to be used more routinely.
The researchers still need to improve the dog's accuracy and test them on people rather than socks, as well as investigate whether the animals can sniff out different species of malaria.
The aim is to one day use specially trained dogs at airports to curb the spread of the disease and to find symptomless carriers to help eradication efforts.
Dogs could test a whole community in a short space of time.
Faster than science
Dr Chelci Squires, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the BBC: "Dogs are actually nature's super-smellers so it is a great gift to have them.
"They are much faster than existing rapid diagnostic tests which can take up to 20 minutes and require a fully trained professional to do."
New tools to detect, treat and prevent malaria are needed as progress is stalling.
According to the last global report on the disease, cases had increased by five million to a new total of 216 million cases a year.
The research was a collaboration between The National Malaria Control Programme in The Gambia; the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia; Medical Detection Dogs; Durham University; the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the University of Dundee.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s Education Quality ranked 125 out of 183 countries in latest Global Youth Development Index
24 mins -
Emma Stone wants people to use her real first name
27 mins -
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
4 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
5 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
8 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
9 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
9 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
9 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
10 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
10 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
11 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
11 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
11 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
12 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
12 hours