Hendra relative could help combat the deadly virus

It’s a case of compare and contrast. CSIRO researchers have discovered a virus – named 'Cedar' after the Queensland location where it was discovered – that appears to be closely related to the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses, but which doesn’t cause disease in several animals affected by the latter.

Understanding the differences between these viruses could reveal what it is that makes Hendra and Nipah so lethal, and raises the prospect of new treatments for them.

Mr Gary Crameri, research scientist with the bat virus team at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria, said the new discovery had significant potential implications for protecting animals and humans from the Hendra and Nipah viruses.

“The significance of discovering a new henipavirus that doesn't cause disease is that it may help us narrow down what it is about the genetic makeup of viruses like Hendra and Nipah that does cause disease and death,” Mr Crameri said.

“The more that we can learn about bat-borne viruses, the better chance we have of developing anti-virals and vaccines to help protect human health, Australia's livestock industry and our export trade from the threat of current and emerging animal diseases.

“Over 70 per cent of people and animals infected with Hendra and Nipah viruses die. This ranks henipaviruses amongst the deadliest viruses in existence, yet little is known about just how such viruses actually cause disease or death.”

However, the researchers warn that it is still too early to rule out the possibility that Cedar virus may cause illness and death in horses or other animals.

The discovery is part of ongoing research by CSIRO to target diseases that threaten Australian animals, people and the environment and is part of CSIRO's wider biosecurity effort. It follows CSIRO's development towards a horse vaccine against Hendra virus.

The study was published today in PLoS Pathogens.