The BA.3.2 variant of COVID-19, also known as 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. The variant carries approximately 70-75 mutations in the spike protein, raising concerns about its ability to evade immunity from prior infections and current vaccines.
Health experts are closely monitoring the situation. Brandon Dionne 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.
As of now, the CDC and WHO are actively tracking the variant’s spread. In the U.S., BA.3.2 was first detected in June 2025, and current vaccines are expected to provide some level of protection against it, although the exact effectiveness remains uncertain. Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre commented, “It’s not completely clear how effective the current vaccine will be, but it likely still has some effectiveness.”
Despite the alarming number of mutations, Andrew Pekosz stated, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.” However, the variant’s emergence coincides with a troubling trend in the U.S., where COVID-19 is linked to 300-500 deaths per week.
Neil Maniar emphasized the importance of protecting high-risk individuals and continuing standard precautions, stating, “The biggest focus is really on protecting higher risk individuals and continuing standard precautions.”
Currently, 11 percent of wastewater samples in the U.S. contain BA.3.2, indicating its presence in communities. However, the exact prevalence of the variant remains unclear due to reduced surveillance efforts.
As health officials continue to monitor BA.3.2, uncertainties linger regarding its potential to evolve further and whether it will trigger a surge in cases. Details remain unconfirmed.