Non-neuroinvasive viruses and uses thereof

A variant herpesvirus or alphaherpes virus particle comprising at least two mutations in a UL37 protein comprising a polypeptide having one of SEQ ID NOs:

• 22-27, 29-33, and 36 or a polypeptide having at least 90% identify to one of SEQ ID NOs:
• 22-27, 29-33, and 36, wherein the mutations are at positions selected from the group consisting of Q269, D307, R310, H366, and H370 in SEQ ID NO:
• 22 or at the corresponding positions in one of SEQ ID NOs:
• 23-27, 29-33, and 36, wherein said virus particle exhibits reduced neuro-invasiveness relative to a virus particle lacking said mutation, and wherein the ability of the virus particle to replicate in peripheral tissues is retained.