A new sub-variant of Omicron, BA.3.2, has been detected in 23 countries. It has been named ‘Cicada.’ Health experts state that a new variant of COVID-19 is quietly spreading across the globe. It possesses an unusually high number of mutations, enabling it to evade existing immunity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this variant strain was first identified in South Africa in November 2024 and has since been detected in at least 23 countries.
Why was it named Cicada?
It was named the ‘Cicada’ variant because, much like the noisy insect, it suddenly emerged in large numbers after remaining undetected for years. BA.3.2 is notable for its genetic diversity; its spike protein contains approximately 70–75 mutations. The spike protein is the specific part of the virus that enables it to bind to human cells.
The CDC noted that, in comparison, the spike proteins of other recently emerged strains—such as its predecessors, variants JN.1 and LP.8.1—contain only 30–40 mutations.
What do health experts say?
Health experts suggest that these genetic changes raise concerns that this particular viral strain may, to some extent, be able to evade immunity acquired through prior infection or existing vaccines.
Brandon Dionne, an Associate Clinical Professor of Pharmacy and Health Systems Sciences at Northeastern University, stated, “It certainly possesses a significant number of mutations, leading to concerns that current vaccines may not prove highly effective against it.”
What are its symptoms?
The symptoms of BA.3.2 appear similar to those of other recent variants, including a sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, headache, and fever. Some people may also experience gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or diarrhea.
According to the CDC, since it was first identified approximately 15 months ago—up until February 11 of this year—the BA.3.2 variant has been detected at 132 monitoring sites across at least 25 U.S. states. This information was obtained through the U.S. wastewater surveillance system. It has also been identified through voluntary nasal swab samples collected from international travelers at U.S. airports.
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