Infectious and Rare Diseases

Biography

Biography: Osagiede Omo Emmanuel

Abstract

Migratory water birds play essential roles as etiological agents in the dispersion of pathogens between species at breeding, wintering, and stopover places where numerous birds of various species are concentrated. Migratory water birds have been exposed to more diverse environment and suffer more infections than sedentary. The recent worldwide bird flu outbreaks due to H5N1 avian influenza virus which were practically distributed by migratory birds, were reported in Asia and afterwards spread to Russia, Middle East, Europe and Africa. These species have also transmitted Newcastle disease virus, avian pneumovirus, duck plague virus, West Nile virus, equine encephalitis virus and enteropathogens. In Awba dam and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, blood and faecal samples, and ectoparasites were collected from a total of 123 captured wild birds. Direct smear and floatation method were used for blood and faecal analysis respectively. Ectoparasites collection were based on dust-ruffling technique method and identified under light microscope. Plasmodium parasites were isolated from five resident bird species and Ixodes species were found in three birds. Resident water birds in Nigeria are at high risk of contracting deadly diseases of many kinds from the migratory water birds which could also affect other vertebrates as well as human beings. To control and circumvent parasites of zoonotic and public health importance, strict biosafety and biosecurity, and constant surveillance of the wetlands which are used by the migratory water birds for feeding and roosting should be employed as tracking strategies of the epidemiology.