A new COVID-19 variant, officially named BA.3.2 and dubbed "Cicada" by scientists, is making headlines across the globe as health officials urge vigilance in the face of its growing presence. First detected in a respiratory sample from South Africa in November 2024, Cicada has since emerged in over 23 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and several European nations, according to reporting from NewsNation, The Conversation, and other international outlets.
The nickname "Cicada" comes from the variant’s unusual history: it is an offshoot of the BA 3 variant, which, much like the insect, had lain dormant for nearly four years before reemerging. Scientists note that BA.3.2 is part of the Omicron family but stands out due to its high number of mutations—over 70 in total, with more than 50 affecting the spike protein. This spike protein is the critical part of the virus that allows it to enter human cells and is the primary target of COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Marc J. Kahn of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, speaking with Nexstar’s KLAS, warned, “We don’t know yet if [BA.3.2] can evade the vaccine, but we’re worried that it can.” This concern is echoed by health agencies worldwide because the 2025-2026 COVID vaccines were developed using the JN.1 and LP.8.1 variants, which differ significantly from Cicada’s genetic makeup.
Despite its genetic divergence, there is currently no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness than other recent variants. Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told USA Today, “There does not yet appear to be any data suggesting BA.3.2 causes more severe cases of COVID than other variants.” The most common symptoms remain familiar: sore throat, cough, fever, fatigue, headache, runny nose, muscle aches, and, in some cases, loss of taste or smell. Some reports, such as those from The Thaiger, mention that a chronic cough and extended fatigue may linger longer in some cases, but the illness is generally mild—especially among vaccinated individuals.
The variant’s detection in the U.S. has followed a pattern seen in other countries: initial identification in travelers, followed by discovery in wastewater surveillance and clinical samples. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the first U.S. case appeared in June 2025 in a traveler arriving from the Netherlands at San Francisco International Airport. By mid-February 2026, BA.3.2 had been found in voluntary swabs from four U.S. travelers, clinical samples from five patients, three airplane wastewater tests, and 132 wastewater surveillance samples across 25 states, including California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois. According to the CDC, the current prevalence in the U.S. is 0.55%—not yet dominant, but steadily increasing. The Conversation and Adnkronos confirm that similar patterns are unfolding in Europe and Asia, with the variant now present in at least 29 U.S. states and spreading in countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, and Australia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Cicada as a "Variant Under Monitoring" (VUM), a category reserved for strains that exhibit genetic changes warranting close observation. While not currently classified as an emergent global threat, the variant’s ability to partially evade immunity—whether from vaccination or prior infection—has prompted calls for ongoing surveillance. As The Thaiger notes, “The World Health Organisation has urged caution over the variant due to its potential to spread rapidly and partially evade immunity, though there is no clear evidence it causes more severe illness.”
What makes BA.3.2 particularly noteworthy is its genetic distance from the JN.1 lineage, the target of current COVID-19 vaccines. Experts explain that because Cicada’s spike protein is so different, the immune system may take longer to recognize and mount a defense, potentially allowing the variant to infect more people before antibodies kick in. However, as highlighted by The Conversation, “a wealth of evidence now demonstrates the potential of these vaccines to reduce Covid hospitalizations and deaths.” Vaccination is still strongly recommended, especially for those at higher risk—such as the elderly and people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease, as well as immunocompromised individuals.
Reinfections have been reported, even among those who are fully vaccinated or previously infected. The variant’s higher transmissibility may also lead to clustered outbreaks, particularly in crowded or enclosed spaces. Health officials in Thailand and elsewhere are keeping a close watch, though no widespread outbreak has yet been reported in some regions. According to Indulge Express, “the large majority of people with this variant report that it is a relatively mild illness, especially among those who are vaccinated.”
Public health advice remains consistent: get vaccinated and stay up to date with booster shots, wear masks in crowded spaces, practice good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, and isolate promptly if symptoms develop. The CDC and WHO stress the importance of continued monitoring and adaptation of public health strategies to keep pace with the virus’s evolution. As Ben Kaplan wrote for Today, “The emergence of BA.3.2 highlights the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in public health strategies.”
Wastewater surveillance and genetic sequencing remain vital tools for tracking the spread of Cicada and identifying new outbreaks before they become widespread. Experts also recommend protecting vulnerable populations, staying home if symptomatic, and following respiratory etiquette, such as covering coughs and sneezes.
While the world is not facing a crisis on the scale of the pandemic’s early days, the story of the Cicada variant is a reminder that COVID-19 remains an ever-changing adversary. Its slow but steady increase in prevalence, combined with its ability to partially evade existing immunity, means the global community must remain alert. As researchers and health officials keep a close eye on Cicada’s trajectory, the public is encouraged to stay informed and continue following recommended precautions to minimize risk and disruption.