Prevalence of West Nile virus antibodies in wild birds in Bangladesh

Objectives

West Nile virus is a zoonotic arbovirus spread by mosquito vectors for which birds are common reservoir hosts. In this report, we are presenting the prevalence of West Nile virus antibodies among the resident and migratory wild birds from different locations in Bangladesh.

Methods

Birds were captured using mist nets and leg nooses from different areas of Bangladesh. Serum samples were tested using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and swab samples were tested using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Samples from 888 resident and migratory birds tested, 48 migratory birds (48 of 888, 5.4 %, confidence interval 4–7 %) were found sero-positive for West Nile virus antibody. All the sero-positive birds were from Hakaluki haor and Tanguar hoar, which suggest local transmission of this virus, though we did not find any evidence of active infection.

Conclusions

Further study is required to better understand the role of these birds in the epidemiology of this virus.