Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease maintained in a
sylvatic cycle involving mosquito vectors and birds. To detect West Nile
virus (WNV) and other flavivirus infections in wild resident and
migratory birds, we tested 184 samples from 19 identified species within
nine families collected during 2012-2016 from four districts in
Bangladesh. We tested serum samples for the immunoglobulin G (IgG)
antibody to WNV using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(c-ELISA), whereas tracheal and cloacal swabs subjected to consensus PCR
for the detection of the flavivirus RNA. Overall, 11.9% (n=22; 95% CI:
0.07-0.16) samples were seropositive, including 15.9% migratory wild
birds and 10.7% resident wild birds. Tufted duck showed 28.5%
sero-positivity, whereas crows showed 12.5% sero-positivity. None of
the swab samples was positive for flavivirus RNA infection. These study
findings suggest that wild birds of Bangladesh may carry WNV. We
recommend continued surveillance for early detection and to better
understand the epidemiology of WNV and other flavivirus circulation in
both birds and mosquitoes in Bangladesh.