The BA.3.2 variant, referred to as the COVID-19 Cicada variant, was first identified in South Africa in November 2024 and has since spread to at least 23 countries. This new variant carries approximately 70-75 mutations in the spike protein, raising concerns among health officials about its potential to evade immunity from prior infections or current vaccines.
Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache, fever, nausea, and diarrhea. In the United States, BA.3.2 has been detected in at least 25 states, with the first cases reported in June 2025. Despite its rapid spread, current vaccines are expected to provide some level of protection against this variant.
Brandon Dionne, a health expert, expressed concerns about the variant’s mutations, stating, “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.” However, Andrew Pekosz noted, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.” This indicates that while the variant is concerning, its immediate impact may not be as severe as feared.
Neil Maniar emphasized the importance of protecting higher-risk individuals and continuing standard precautions, as the variant’s exact prevalence in the U.S. remains unclear due to reduced surveillance. Furthermore, Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre remarked, “It’s not completely clear how effective the current vaccine will be, but it likely still has some effectiveness,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding vaccine efficacy against BA.3.2.
Historically, BA.3.2 is a descendent of BA.3, an omicron subvariant that emerged in 2022. As the global health community monitors this variant, the focus remains on understanding its behavior and potential impact on public health.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding how BA.3.2 will evolve and whether it will lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Observers are watching closely as the situation develops, hoping for clarity on the variant’s implications for vaccine strategies and public health measures.
