Osagiede Omo Emmanuel
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.