The world is once again facing a new twist in the ongoing Covid-19 saga as the BA.3.2 variant—nicknamed "Cicada" for its long dormancy and sudden emergence—spreads rapidly across continents. First detected in a respiratory sample from a five-year-old boy in South Africa in November 2024, Cicada has since been identified in at least 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Kenya, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and multiple reports from The Independent, Birmingham Live, and Express.
In the United States, the first confirmed case of the Cicada strain appeared in June 2025. By March 2026, the variant had been found in patients and wastewater systems across 29 states, indicating a swift and widespread transmission. The CDC has highlighted the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and timely public health response, as the variant’s ability to evade antibodies—largely due to its extensive mutations—raises concerns about vaccine effectiveness and potential seasonal surges in Covid-19 activity.
What makes Cicada particularly notable is its genetic makeup. The variant carries between 70 and 75 mutations in the spike protein region—the very part of the virus that allows it to enter human cells and that existing vaccines target to prompt an immune response. This is a significant leap in genetic change compared to previous dominant strains. Virologist Andrew Pekosz explained, "It has a lot of mutations that may cause it to look different to your immune system." Dr. Marc Siegel of NYU Langone added, "There is concern that it could represent a significant public health risk, but since the prevalence is still so low, it is too soon to predict this on a community-wide basis."
The nickname "Cicada" comes from the variant’s unusual pattern of lying dormant at low levels before suddenly "awakening" and spreading rapidly—much like the insect that emerges after years underground. After its initial identification in South Africa, BA.3.2 remained mostly under the radar through much of 2025. It began to spread more efficiently in September of that year, and by the end of 2025, accounted for up to 30% of Covid-19 sequences in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. The CDC noted that, due to limited genomic detection in some regions, the true extent of Cicada’s spread is likely underrepresented.
Despite its rapid transmission and genetic divergence, current evidence does not suggest that Cicada causes more severe illness or higher hospitalization rates than previous variants. The CDC reported that during the 2024–25 respiratory virus season, there were an estimated 390,000–550,000 hospitalizations and 45,000–64,000 deaths from Covid-19, but these figures are not directly attributed to Cicada alone. The agency did, however, caution that the variant "could be associated with seasonal increases in COVID-19 activity," underscoring the importance of monitoring and preparedness.
One of the main challenges posed by Cicada is its potential to bypass immunity from both previous infections and older vaccines. The variant’s mutations in the spike protein make it harder for the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus, which means that even those who have been vaccinated or previously infected could be susceptible. Health agencies in the UK and elsewhere are closely monitoring the situation and have classified BA.3.2 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM).
For the general public, the symptoms of Cicada infection are familiar but can be subtle or easily missed. According to the UK Health Security Agency and the NHS, typical symptoms include a severe or "razorblade" sore throat, cough, fever or chills, fatigue, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, headache, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms mirror those seen in other Omicron-era variants, though some reports suggest a slightly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal issues with Cicada. Notably, the variant can also cause asymptomatic infections, meaning individuals may carry and transmit the virus without feeling ill themselves.
Most cases respond well to rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications, and there is no evidence so far that Cicada is more likely to cause severe disease than its predecessors. The NHS lists the following as possible indicators of Covid-19 infection: a high temperature or chills, a new continuous cough, loss or change of smell or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, aching body, headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and feeling or being sick.
Scientists emphasize that the emergence of variants like Cicada is a natural part of viral evolution. Each time SARS-CoV-2 replicates, its genetic material can mutate. While most mutations have no effect or disappear, occasionally one gives the virus an advantage—such as increased transmissibility or immune evasion—and that version can quickly become more common. As The Independent reported, the Cicada variant’s mutations make it more difficult for the immune system to recognize and fight off the virus, facilitating its wider spread.
Public health officials are urging continued vigilance. The CDC and other agencies recommend ongoing genomic surveillance to track emerging variants and regular observational studies to assess vaccine effectiveness as the virus evolves. While widespread infection and vaccination have built up significant population immunity, the risk of seasonal spikes and the emergence of highly divergent variants like Cicada mean that Covid-19 remains a significant public health concern.
For now, experts agree that there is no need for panic. Although Cicada is spreading rapidly and shows an impressive ability to evade immune defenses, it does not appear to cause more severe disease than previous strains. The key, they say, is to stay informed, follow public health guidance, and maintain robust surveillance and response systems—lessons learned over the past years that remain just as relevant today.