A newly detected COVID-19 variant nicknamed "Cicada" is raising concerns among public health officials because of its unusually high number of mutations, which could make it especially contagious and help it evade vaccine protection. The BA.3.2 strain has been found in wastewater samples from 25 states and in clinical samples across the country, though it currently represents only a small fraction of circulating COVID cases. What Is the Cicada Variant and Why the Nickname? The BA.3.2 variant, dubbed "Cicada" by researchers, was first detected in a respiratory sample in South Africa in November 2024 but only began spreading more noticeably in 2025. The insect-inspired nickname reflects the variant's pattern of remaining dormant for an extended period before suddenly emerging on the world stage. The variant carries as many as 75 mutations, far exceeding the number found in other circulating strains, which could explain its potential to spread more efficiently. Internationally, BA.3.2 has already made a significant impact. Between November 2025 and January 2026, the variant accounted for 30 percent of samples taken in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, according to CDC data. How Widespread Is Cicada in the United States Right Now? In the United States, the current threat level from Cicada remains low. Scientists have detected BA.3.2 in nasal swabs from four travelers, three airplane wastewater samples, clinical samples from five patients, and 132 wastewater samples from 25 states. Across the country, levels of the new variant represent only about 0.19 percent of approximately 2,500 total genetic sequences analyzed in national surveillance efforts. "I think that BA.3.2 has not shown so far that it is an immediate threat. However, it is circulating and continuing to evolve so that increases the likelihood that it could change and become a more efficient virus at spreading and causing disease," said Andrew Pekosz, a virologist with the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Andrew Pekosz, Virologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Despite the low current levels, infectious disease experts urge Americans to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions, as the variant's evolution could change the situation. Why Are Experts Concerned About This Variant's Mutations? The high number of mutations in BA.3.2 is the primary reason for concern. These mutations, particularly in the spike protein, may help the variant evade protection from vaccination or from prior COVID-19 infections. When people are vaccinated or previously infected, their immune system produces defensive antibodies. The spike protein mutations in Cicada could allow it to slip past these antibodies more effectively than other variants. "The recently emerged BA.3.2 strain efficiently evades antibodies, likely because of spike protein mutations, highlighting the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and observational evaluations of vaccine and antiviral effectiveness," the CDC report stated. CDC Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, noted that the mutation count raises questions about vaccine effectiveness. "The number of mutations makes it less likely that the current vaccines will be as highly effective against the variant, but we need more data to better answer this question," he explained. What Symptoms Should People Watch For? So far, BA.3.2 has not been shown to cause more severe illness than other circulating COVID variants. However, severe sore throat has been reported as a common symptom. The full range of symptoms associated with Cicada infection includes: - Respiratory Symptoms: Sore throat, congestion or runny nose, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - Systemic Symptoms: Fever or chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches, and headache - Sensory Changes: New loss of taste or smell - Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea These symptoms overlap significantly with those of other respiratory viruses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), making it difficult to distinguish between infections without testing. How to Protect Yourself From Cicada and Other Respiratory Viruses - Stay Current With Vaccines: Get updated versions of COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. Experts emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce severe illness, even if vaccine effectiveness against new variants may be reduced. - Practice Preventive Measures: Implement respiratory hygiene by wearing masks in high-risk settings, maintaining good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick to prevent transmission to others. - Monitor Surveillance Data: Keep informed about variant prevalence in your area through CDC updates and local health department reports, which can help guide your personal risk assessment. - Seek Testing if Symptomatic: If you develop respiratory symptoms, consider getting tested to determine whether you have COVID-19, flu, or RSV, which can inform treatment decisions. What Could Happen Next With Cicada? Whether BA.3.2 will become a dominant strain in the United States remains uncertain. "It is possible we will see Cicada drive a summer COVID surge and become the dominant strain in the United States; but that is by no means certain," said Hopkins. The variant's future trajectory will depend on several factors, including how efficiently it spreads compared to currently dominant strains, how well it evades existing immunity, and how much the population has been vaccinated. Public health authorities are conducting ongoing genomic surveillance to track BA.3.2's evolution and monitor its prevalence across different regions. Hopkins emphasized that the public health response to respiratory viruses has been inadequate in recent years. "We need to do better to protect our communities from all three of these viruses," he stated, referring to COVID-19, flu, and RSV. "We did not vaccinate enough people and we did not effectively implement preventive measures, so as a result, families lost loved ones to all three viruses". Hopkins For now, the CDC and infectious disease experts recommend that Americans remain alert to the emergence of Cicada while continuing to prioritize vaccination and preventive measures against all circulating respiratory viruses. The combination of vigilance and proactive health measures offers the best protection against this and other emerging variants.
