The BA.3.2 variant of COVID-19, dubbed the “Cicada variant,” was first identified in South Africa in November 2024 and has since spread to at least 23 countries, including 25 states in the U.S. This variant carries an alarming 70-75 mutations in the spike protein, raising concerns among health officials regarding its potential to evade immunity from prior infections or current vaccines.

Brandon Dionne, a virologist, noted, “There definitely are quite a few mutations with this one, so there’s concern that the current vaccine is not going to be a great match.” Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache, fever, nausea, and diarrhea, mirroring those of earlier variants.

Despite the concerning genetic profile, experts like Andrew Pekosz suggest that while BA.3.2 looks frightening on paper, it has not yet caused a significant increase in disease severity in most regions. Current vaccines are still expected to provide some level of protection against the variant, as stated by Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre, who mentioned, “It’s not completely clear how effective the current vaccine will be, but it likely still has some effectiveness.”

As of now, the U.S. is witnessing approximately 300-500 deaths per week linked to COVID-19, with 11% of wastewater samples indicating the presence of BA.3.2. This data highlights the variant’s growing footprint in the community, although the exact prevalence remains unclear due to reduced surveillance efforts.

Neil Maniar emphasized the importance of protecting higher-risk individuals and maintaining standard precautions as the situation evolves. The variant is a descendent of BA.3, an omicron subvariant that emerged in 2022, illustrating the ongoing evolution of the virus.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how BA.3.2 will evolve and whether it will cause a surge in cases. Observers are closely monitoring its spread and impact on public health, as the global community remains vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.

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The emergence of the cicada COVID variant, officially designated BA.3.2, is causing a significant rise in cases across the United States and globally. This variant, first detected in a traveler arriving in the U.S. in June 2025, has raised alarms due to its high mutation rate, boasting between 70 and 75 mutations. As of March 2026, BA.3.2 accounts for approximately 30% of COVID-19 sequences in Germany and several Northern European countries.

Since its first U.S. diagnosis in January 2026, BA.3.2 has spread to at least 25 states, with detection in 3.7% of wastewater samples as of mid-March. The World Health Organization classified BA.3.2 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ in December 2025, indicating the global health community’s concern regarding its potential impact.

Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring BA.3.2 to understand its capability to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations. The CDC noted, “Monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 provides valuable information about the potential for this new SARS-CoV-2 lineage to evade immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.” This highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the pandemic as new variants emerge.

Despite the alarming statistics, some experts suggest that the variant has not yet led to a significant increase in severe disease. Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., remarked, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.” This sentiment underscores the complexity of assessing the variant’s actual threat level.

However, the situation is precarious. Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr. warned that low vaccination rates and insufficient public health measures leave the population vulnerable to a potential surge. Current COVID vaccines are expected to continue providing protection against severe disease from BA.3.2, but the effectiveness of these vaccines against the variant is still under investigation.

As of now, BA.3.2 has been reported in at least 23 countries, with 132 sites where it was detected in wastewater samples. The variant’s rapid spread raises questions about its future trajectory and the public health response required to mitigate its impact.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential for BA.3.2 to cause a surge in the U.S. and the ongoing studies into vaccine effectiveness against this variant. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this new variant will shape the landscape of the ongoing pandemic.

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