Akabane disease is an arthropod-borne viral disease that can affect cattle, sheep and goats. In the predominant syndrome, inapparent infections in adults can lead months later to abortions, stillbirths and congenital defects in newborns. Most affected neonates die or must be euthanized. Before vaccines were developed, Akabane disease caused significant economic losses in some countries. Between 1972 and 1975, this virus resulted in the birth of more than 42,000 abnormal calves in Japan. A few strains of Akabane virus can also cause outbreaks of encephalomyelitis in calves and adult cattle. In the past 20 years, these strains have become endemic in Japan and Korea, where they periodically cause outbreaks affecting anywhere from a few to hundreds of animals. There is no treatment for Akabane disease.