Understanding the New Cicada Variant of COVID-19: What You Need to Know

Health officials are monitoring a resurgence of the COVID-19 variant known as BA.3.2, nicknamed “Cicada,” which has reemerged after a period of low activity and is showing increased presence in certain regions, according to recent reports from public health agencies and medical institutions.

The variant, first identified in South Africa in late 2024, belongs to the Omicron family of viruses and has been detected in wastewater samples from more than two dozen U.S. States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While it does not yet account for a large share of national cases, CDC wastewater surveillance indicates it is responsible for approximately 30% of recent COVID-19 infections in Europe and about 11% of samples in the United States.

Scientists note that the Cicada variant carries 70 to 75 new mutations in the spike protein—the part of the virus that the human immune system recognizes—compared to strains used in earlier vaccine formulations. This level of genetic change exceeds that seen in many dominant variants circulating since 2023, raising questions about how well prior immunity from vaccination or infection may hold up against it.

Despite these mutations, experts emphasize that Cicada remains part of the Omicron lineage, which suggests it may retain some biological similarities to recent variants. Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting Omicron sublineages such as JN.1 are expected to provide continued protection against severe illness, though the extent of protection against infection may vary.

Infectious disease specialists, including those at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, state that while immune evasion is a concern, there is currently no evidence that the Cicada variant causes more severe illness or distinct symptoms compared to earlier Omicron strains. Hospitalization rates remain low, and most infections are mild, particularly among vaccinated individuals.

Pediatric infectious disease experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital have observed a slight increase in infections among children, though they caution that it is not yet clear whether children are biologically more susceptible or if the trend reflects increased social contact and testing patterns. No significant rise in pediatric hospitalizations has been linked to the variant so far.

Public health officials continue to recommend staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for older adults and those with underlying health conditions, as the best available protection against severe outcomes. Wastewater monitoring and genomic surveillance remain key tools for tracking the variant’s spread and detecting any significant changes in prevalence or behavior.