Research Note: Detection of infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Infectious bursal disease virus ( IBDV ) is an immunosuppressive pathogen of poultry causing great economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, the IBDV antibodies were detected in captured free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty free-living wild birds, comprising 30 birds each of 5 different species, were sampled over a period of 9 months. Blood samples were collected from each bird, and harvested sera were tested for IBDV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results indicated IBDV seroprevalences in speckled pigeon (6.67%) and cattle egret (3.33%). In conclusion, the detection of IBDV antibodies in free-living wild birds in this study is indicative of previous natural exposure of these birds to the virus. These species of wild birds could therefore serve as carriers of these viruses and, consequently, transmit these viruses to chickens.

Genotyping and Molecular Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Identified in Important Poultry-Raising Areas of China During 2019 and 2020

“…Indeed, recent studies have shown that when IBDV strains of two genotypes co-infect the same cell, their respective viral replication factories co-accumulate, thereby providing an opportunity for segment reassortment among the different genotypes ( 40 ). Recent studies have shown that wild birds can act as carriers of IBDV to transmit the virus to chickens ( 41 , 42 ), which might increase the risk of chickens infecting multiple genotypes of IBDV.…”

Free-Living Wild Birds and Factors Influencing Their Survival in Captivity: A Synopsis

“…They are both sedentary and migratory [20], and migration is from cooler areas to warmer areas triggered by rainfall [19]. Due to their migratory potentials, cattle egrets have been implicated in the spread of poultry infections such as infectious bursal disease [3,23], Newcastle disease [24] and chicken infectious anaemia [4].…”

“…The mode of infection of these birds could only be speculated from their migration to locations where the infectious agents are present. Some of these infectious agents could cause clinical signs in other domestic animals but not in the free-living wild birds [1]; Fagbohun et al [2][3][4]. The significant roles that these wild birds play in the epidemiology of diseases would only be better understood from using them in experimental studies, thus requiring putting them in captivity.…”

Epidemiological Occurrence of the Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Chickens’ Flocks that Had Received Various Vaccination Regimens

“…Chickens, among other domestic poultry, are natural hosts for IBD. The fecal-oral route is the most common route of transmission of the IBDV, after that the aerosol method [4]. IBD can affect both commercial and backyard chickens in an equal way [5].…”