Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine chicken anaemia virus (CAV) antibody status of some free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria.

Method and Materials: One hundred and fifty free-living wild birds, comprising 30 birds each of Laughing doves, Speckled pigeons, Cattle egrets, Village weavers and African silver bills were sampled over a period of 9 months. Blood samples were collected from each bird and harvested sera were tested for CAV antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: It was indicated CAV seroprevalences of 6.67 % in Speckled pigeon (95% CI, 6.35 – 6.99), 3.33 % in Cattle egret (95% CI, 3.10 – 3.56 %), 16.67 % in Village weaver (95% CI, 16.19 – 17.15 %) and 3.3 % in African silver bill (95% CI, 3.10 – 3.56 %). These free-living wild birds had CAV seroprevalence of 6.0 % (95 CI, 5.86 – 6.14 %) in Zaria.

Conclusion: It was indicative of previous natural exposure to CAV and they could be involved in the possible spread of the virus. Hence, measures to prevent direct and indirect interactions of chickens with these wild birds should be implemented in commercial poultry.

Statistics