Riemerella anatipestifer is a Gram-negative bacterium causing serositis in ducks and belongs to Flavobacteriaceae. Since its discovery, its outbreak and epidemic happen from time to time in various duck industries of China. Furthermore, it has a variety of serotypes and resistance to multiple antibiotics, leading to a serious threat to the duck industries. In recent years, with the help of molecular biology and related new technologies, more and more researchers have studied the virulence, antibiotics resistance and antibiotics resistance mechanism. Our review summarizes the above research progress, provide enlightenment and reference for further understanding this bacterium to prevent this disease.