Attempted Detection of West Nile Virus from Wild and Peridomestic Birds within Ibadan Metropolis in Nigeria

Abstract

Wild and peridomestic birds have been implicated in the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV), acting either as reservoirs or vectors. A team of researchers reported detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in the faeces of infected wild birds after being experimentally infected with the virus subcutaneously. This necessitated the need for this study, which is aimed at investigating the potential transmission of WNV through faeces in wild and peridomestic birds in Nigeria even though the virus is an arbovirus commonly transmitted by mosquito. To confirm the data, one hundred and ten (110) wild and peridomestic birds were screened for the presence of WNV using rtPCR method. The birds were drawn from six locations in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria within a period of 18 months. Detection of WNV was made with 5% agarose gel electrophoresis. However, we failed to detect WNV in these samples, concluding that birds in those locations were not habouring the virus. We recommend continuous and active surveillance for the virus since change in some particular factors can aid its widespread transmission.