Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A newly identified strain of the coronavirus, officially called BA.3.2 and nicknamed “Cicada,” has drawn global attention due to its unique genetic profile and potential impact on immunity. First detected in South Africa in November 2024, the variant remained at low levels for months before spreading across multiple regions and has now been confirmed in at least 23 countries, including parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In the United States, BA.3.2 has been detected in more than 25 states, although it still represents a small fraction of total COVID-19 cases.
The Cicada variant is a descendant of the BA.3 Omicron lineage and carries around 70 to 75 mutations, particularly in the spike protein, which is critical for viral entry into cells and is the primary target of vaccine-induced antibodies. Its nickname reflects the virus’s long period of dormancy followed by renewed circulation, similar to the life cycle of the cicada insect. Health authorities, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are monitoring the variant as a Variant Under Monitoring. While it has not been classified as a Variant of Concern, the high number of mutations has prompted close examination of its transmissibility and potential to partially evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
Early observations suggest the variant may spread more easily than some earlier Omicron strains, but there is currently no evidence it causes more severe illness or increases hospitalization or death rates. Symptoms associated with the Cicada variant are largely consistent with previous Omicron strains, including sore throat, cough, fever, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, and in some cases, loss of taste or smell. Reports indicate that sore throat is slightly more common in infections with this strain, but overall, most cases remain mild.
Laboratory studies suggest that the mutations in BA.3.2 may reduce vaccine effectiveness against infection, although protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death is expected to remain strong. Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination and booster doses to mitigate serious outcomes. Global surveillance, including wastewater monitoring and clinical sequencing, indicates that in parts of Europe the variant accounts for a growing share of sequenced cases, at times approaching 30 percent in some regions, while in the United States, it remains under 1 percent but is gradually increasing.
Public health authorities recommend that individuals continue following standard protective measures, including vaccination, hygiene practices, and seeking testing when symptomatic. High-risk groups, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions, are urged to remain particularly vigilant. Ongoing genomic surveillance and data collection are crucial to tracking the variant’s spread, understanding its impact on immunity, and informing potential updates to vaccine strategies.
Although highly mutated and spreading globally, the Cicada variant has not shown evidence of causing more severe disease than previous COVID-19 strains. Scientists continue to study its transmissibility and immune evasion potential, and existing vaccines remain central to protecting populations against severe outcomes.
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