The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve with the emergence of new variants, the latest being BA.3.2, also known as ‘Cicada’. This variant has raised alarms due to its significant mutations, which may allow it to evade immunity from both vaccines and previous infections. BA.3.2 was first identified in November 2024 in South Africa and has since spread to at least 25 states in the United States.
BA.3.2 is a descendent of BA.3, an omicron subvariant that emerged in 2022. The variant is characterized by 70 to 75 mutations in its spike protein, making it distinct from other variants. As of February 11, 2026, BA.3.2 has been detected in at least 23 countries, indicating a global concern.
Initial reports suggest that the symptoms of BA.3.2 are similar to those of other COVID-19 variants, including cough, fever, sore throat, and fatigue. The variant was first detected in the U.S. on June 27, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport, and has since been found in wastewater samples, which indicates its presence in the population.
Despite the concerning mutations, experts like Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre have noted that current COVID antiviral drugs remain effective against BA.3.2. Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr. reassured the public, stating, “I have not seen any data which indicates that Cicada is any more severe than other circulating variants.” This sentiment is echoed by Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., who remarked, “It’s increasing, but it hasn’t really caused a huge surge of infections anywhere.”
As of now, BA.3.2 accounts for about 30% of COVID-19 sequences in Germany and some Northern European countries, and in the U.S., it has been detected in 3.7% of wastewater samples nationwide. While current vaccines are expected to continue providing protection against severe disease from BA.3.2, the exact impact of this variant on public health remains uncertain.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential for BA.3.2 to cause a surge in cases, and further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of existing vaccines against this new variant. The World Health Organization classified BA.3.2 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ in December 2025, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in the face of evolving COVID-19 threats.
