The “Cicada” COVID-19 variant (BA.3.2), part of Omicron, is spreading across 20+ countries with rising cases. With 70+ mutations, it may spread faster and partially evade immunity, but isn’t more severe. Symptoms mirror Omicron. Experts urge vaccination, testing, masking, and caution, as rapid transmission could still increase hospitalizations despite generally mild illness outcomes.
A new COVID-19 variant dubbed “Cicada” is drawing global attention as cases begin to rise across multiple countries. Officially known as BA.3.2, this strain is part of the Omicron family, but what makes it concerning is its high number of mutations and potential to spread quickly.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cases are slowly increasing. The World Health Organisation has also added Cicada to its “variants of monitoring” list as it pops up in more countries, USA Today reported. So far, BA.3.2 has been found in more than 20 countries. In some places, it makes up as much as 30 per cent of cases. “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,” the CDC wrote in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
What is the Cicada variant?
The Cicada variant was first detected in South Africa in late 2024 and remained relatively unnoticed before resurging globally in 2025. Experts say it carries 70+ mutations in its spike protein, the part of the virus responsible for entering human cells. This has raised concerns about two key factors:
- Higher transmissibility, which means it spreads more easily
- Immune escape may partially bypass immunity from vaccines or past infections
However, early data suggest that while it may spread faster, it is not necessarily more severe than previous variants. The variant was named after a breed of insects that rarely emerge into view because it stayed mostly “underground” once it was detected.
Where is it spreading?
The Cicada variant has already been detected in over 20 countries, including the United States, with some regions in Europe reporting a noticeable share of cases. At least 25 American states have reported Cicada found in wastewater samples from 132 locations, indicating a silent community spread.
Health experts warn that it could potentially drive future waves, although it is not yet the dominant strain globally.
Signs and symptoms you need to watch out for
According to experts, cicada does not appear to cause dramatically new symptoms. Instead, it largely mirrors previous Omicron variants. A few common symptoms include:
- Fever or sudden chills
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat, which is sometimes severe
- Fatigue and body aches
- Headache
- Runny or blocked nose
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or digestive issues
- Skin rashes or eye irritation
Like earlier variants, asymptomatic infections are also possible, meaning people can spread the virus without realizing it.
How risky is it?
So far, experts say there is no clear evidence that Cicada causes more severe illness at a population level. This aligns with broader research showing that newer variants often remain similar in severity, especially in vaccinated populations.
The real concern lies in how quickly it spreads, which could still lead to increased hospitalizations simply due to higher case numbers.
