Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important economic and food crop in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Because of its excellences in drought and barren tolerance, cassava is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Cassava mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most widespread diseases that threaten cassava production. Since cassava is a vegetatively propagated crop, CMV is mainly transmitted by infected planting material (stakes). Nevertheless, CMV is also transmitted by various species of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) whitefly complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Previously, there have been no reports of CMV occurrence and damage in cassava producing areas in China and Southeast Asia. However, in recent years, Sri Lanka cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV) has been widely spread in Southeast Asia. Now, it has become the main disease of cassava production in this region, and also poses a major threat to cassava production in China. This paper will discuss the occurrence, transmission and prevention strategies of SLCMV in Asia. It may provide reference for the prevention and control of SLCMV in China.