With a human death rate over 50 per cent and an ability to cross species, the Hendra virus that emerged in 1994 had frightening potential.
CSIRO quickly identified the new virus, but a vaccine proved harder. Now, thanks to the work of CSIRO’s Hendra Virus Research Team in Geelong, we have the first vaccine and effective human treatment against the virus, and skills and resources that are being applied against Ebola.