Recent reports indicate a low prevalence of COVID-19 nationally, supported by government wastewater testing data. However, attention is now turning to the emergence of the latest variant, designated BA.3.2 and nicknamed "cicada," which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flagged in its Morbidity and Mortality Report.

Understanding the Cicada Variant (BA.3.2)

Origins and Naming

The cicada variant is a descendant of the highly transmissible Omicron strain that first appeared in 2021. Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, explained that it evolved from Omicron with several mutations.

Dr. Adalja noted that the name reflects its lineage: it descends from an early Omicron strain, BA.3, which became quasi-dormant, acquired new mutations, and resurfaced as BA.3.2. Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo, confirmed that the variant "was described a few years ago, smoldered in other countries, and now is back."

Geographic Spread

Since the start of 2024, the cicada variant has been identified in 23 different countries globally. In the United States, the variant was first detected in January 2025.

The CDC has reported its presence across 24 states, including major areas such as California, New York, Florida, and Texas. Other states where it has appeared include Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Clinical Implications and Immune Evasion

Symptom Profile

According to Dr. Adalja, the cicada variant does not appear to cause symptoms distinct from those associated with previous COVID-19 variants. The CDC lists common symptoms, which include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough and difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat, congestion, or runny nose
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue, body aches, or headache
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Concerns Regarding Severity and Immunity

The primary concern surrounding BA.3.2 stems from the 70 to 75 substitutions found on its spike protein, the mechanism the virus uses for cellular entry. Dr. Russo stated, "That’s a lot," raising fears that the variant could become significantly more immune-evasive.

Dr. Adalja elaborated that prior immunity, whether from infection or vaccination, may not be optimally protective against this strain as immunity naturally wanes over time. However, this increased evasion potential does not automatically translate to more severe illness, Dr. Russo cautioned.

Interestingly, Dr. Adalja pointed out that some of the spike protein mutations may actually decrease binding affinity to human cells, potentially making it less infectious. The overall impact depends on whether these potentially dampening alterations are overridden by the other changes.

Vaccine Effectiveness and Public Outlook

Protection Against Serious Disease

Current COVID-19 vaccines were developed based on earlier Omicron strains and are not an exact match for the cicada variant. Dr. Adalja suggests that existing vaccines are still expected to protect against the most critical outcome: serious illness.

However, the ability of the current shots to prevent infection entirely may be limited. Dr. Russo concurred, stating, "The best way to protect yourself is vaccination, but our present vaccines are imperfect."

Expert Recommendations

While Dr. Russo expressed concern that the emergence of cicada might drive an increase in case numbers, Dr. Adalja advised the public not to panic. He concluded that "There is no major reason for concern at this point," emphasizing that "There will always be variants rising and falling."