Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the inhibition of the infectivity of a herpesvirus. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods provide a CRISPR-associated peptide and a guide nucleic acid, which induce the mutation of herpesvirus genome, thereby inhibiting the infectivity of the herpesvirus. Further disclosed are Cas peptides including Cas9 or a variant thereof comprising one or more point mutations relative to wildtype Streptococcus pyogenes Cas 9 (spCas9), and Cpf1 or a variant thereof.