A BHV-1 mutant virus has been made that incorporates into a single virus two or more deletions in one or more of three genes—glycoprotein N, glycoprotein E and Us9. Specifically, a BHV-1 UL49.5Δ30-32 CT-null virus was made and tested. This mutant virus was then used to incorporate additional changes, e.g., the glycoprotein E cytoplasmic-tail deletion, the Us9 deletion, or both. This triple mutant BHV-1 UL49.5Δ30-32 CT-null/gE CTΔ/Us9Δ virus will be superior to the current BHV-1 mutants because the mutant virus will not be shed following reactivation, will be a DIVA based on gE CT-specific serum antibodies, and will induce better protective response by inducing higher SN titers and better cellular immune response. This new virus will have sufficient viral replication in the nasal epithelium and will be a good vaccine for protection of cattle from BHV-1. The new mutant viruses can also be used as vectors for exogenous genes.