A scientific team from CSIRO and the US has demonstrated that administering human monoclonal antibodies after exposure to Nipah virus, which is closely related to Hendra virus, protected animals from challenge in a disease model.

According to CSIRO's Dr Deborah Middleton, who led the experiments at Australia's maximum biosecurity facility, CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, the findings are extremely encouraging.

"Our research clearly suggests that an effective treatment for Hendra virus infections in humans should be possible, given the very strong cross-reactive activity this antibody has against Hendra virus," she said.

"As Hendra and Nipah viruses cause severe disease in humans, a successful application of this antibody as a post-exposure therapy will likely require early intervention," Dr Middleton said.

First identified in Brisbane and isolated by CSIRO scientists in 1994, Hendra virus, which spreads from flying foxes, has regularly infected horses in Australia.

In August last year, Redlands vet Ben Cuneen died from the virus, which also claimed the life of Rockhampton vet Dr Alister Rodgers in September this year.

Dr Middleton said the success of the antibody would probably depend on dose and time of administration.