Cambodian anti-landmine authorities are training dogs to sniff out Covid-19, hoping the sharp-nosed canines normally used to detect underground explosives can keep the virus on a tight leash, according to AFP.

Cambodia has won praise for a swift vaccine drive, with the health ministry saying over 98 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose.

Now they are embarking on a new strategy to spot Covid cases.

Joining the fight will be 12 Belgian Malinois dogs the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has trained to nose out unsuspecting patients who might be carrying the virus.

In the longer term, the centre hopes to use the dogs at major events, including sports matches, director general Heng Ratana said.