Considering that type I IFNs are essential for mounting a robust host response against viral infection [23,24] and that there are very low levels of IFN-β and IFN-α in the lesional tissue of patient with recurrent mucocutaneous HSV-2 infection [25], it is important to understand how HSV-2 blocks the production of type I IFNs, contributing to its immune evasion of host innate immunity. Here, IFNB1 is linked to viral infectious disease.