Bluetongue disease in the Asia-Pacific region

In most of Asia, bluetongue is an infection which has existed since cattle, buffalo and deer have been present. Less than 20 years ago bluetongue viruses were not known to exist east of India. However, countries such as PNG, Australia and the Pacific Island nations are now seeing the emergence of bluetongue. Understanding the epidemiology of bluetongue in Southeast Asia, east Asia, and the Pacific Islands is impossible without identifying all the virus serotypes in this vast region. These proceedings are a result of a symposium held in Kunming in China and present the current understanding of the status of bluetongue viruses.