Induction and control of the type I interferon pathway by Bluetongue virus.

•A general review describing the current knowledge on the type I IFN pathway.•Description of several mechanisms evolved by viruses to counteract this antiviral response.•An up-to-date review on the interaction of BTV and the type I IFN pathway in vivo and in vitro.•Description of the cellular sensors involved in the induction of IFN-α/β synthesis upon BTV infection in haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells.•Description of the strategies evolved by BTV to counteract this cellular antiviral response.