WLD is rapidly spread through the transport planting
of diseased planting material. Particularly in South East
Asia, this has led to inter-country spread. The disease is
also spread by planthoppers: in Thailand, the vector is
Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus. Further work is needed to
determine the vector(s) in other countries. The disease is
not spread mechanically (by cane knives, harvesters, etc).