A global database of West Nile virus host prevalence and competence

West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most widespread arboviruses globally and is maintained primarily through a bird-mosquito-bird transmission cycle, while other vertebrates play more limited roles. Host contributions to transmission depend on both infection evidence in natural populations (reflecting exposure and susceptibility) and reservoir competence, determined by the magnitude and duration of viraemia sufficient to infect mosquitoes. Despite extensive surveillance and experimental research, no comprehensive, standardised resource has integrated evidence on host exposure and infection in natural populations together with experimental data on host competence across vertebrate taxa. Here, we present two harmonised datasets compiled through a systematic literature review: (i) a WNV host prevalence dataset, summarising infection and serological evidence in wild and captive vertebrates; and (ii) a WNV host competence dataset, derived from controlled experimental infections. The prevalence dataset aggregates records from 541 studies across 91 countries (1950-2023), comprising 535,568 tested individuals from 1,801 vertebrate species. The WNV host competence dataset compiles 113 experimental infection studies covering 103 species and 3,030 individuals, and provides standardised time-resolved viraemia and survival data with accompanying metadata, enabling reconstruction and/or modelling of species-specific viraemia trajectories and the derivation of quantitative competence metrics. Both datasets use standardised taxonomy and incorporate synonym crosswalks to facilitate linkage with trait databases, phylogenetic trees and species distribution products. Together, these resources provide a unified foundation for macroecological analyses, surveillance gap assessment, and modelling multi-host WNV transmission dynamics.