The increasing frequency of viral outbreaks underscores the need for rapid, cost-effective, and readily deployable diagnostic and antiviral approaches. CRISPR-Cas systems, with their inherent programmability and ease of use, offer a promising solution. This review focuses on the biochemical properties of Cas12 and Cas13 orthologs, highlighting their application in viral disease detection and antiviral strategies. CRISPR-based diagnostics, leveraging the collateral activity of Cas12 and Cas13, provide high sensitivity and specificity comparable to PCR, while also enabling multiplexing and point-of-care applications. Furthermore, the potential of Cas13 as a direct antiviral agent by targeting viral mRNA is discussed. The review explores various CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms, including SHERLOCK, DETECTR, and others, and their advancements in SARS-CoV-2 detection and the identification of viral variants. The future prospects of CRISPR-Cas technology in disease diagnostics and antiviral therapy are also examined.

M.S., M.K., R.S., N.A., R.R., P.K.