Cicada COVID Variant BA.3.2 Raises Concerns in the United States

As of March 2026, the cicada COVID variant BA.3.2 has been detected in at least 25 states across the United States, prompting significant public health concerns. This heavily mutated strain of SARS-CoV-2 may evade immunity from both vaccines and prior infections, which could complicate efforts to control the pandemic.

BA.3.2 was first identified in November 2024 in South Africa and has since spread to at least 23 countries. It is characterized by 70 to 75 mutations in its spike protein, which may reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines against infection, although they are still expected to provide protection against severe disease.

In the U.S., BA.3.2 was first detected in June 2025 in a traveler returning from the Netherlands. Since then, it has rapidly proliferated, accounting for approximately 30% of cases in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. Nationwide, about 3.7% of sewage samples have shown the presence of BA.3.2, indicating its widespread circulation.

Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include cough, fever, sore throat, congestion, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, headache, and gastrointestinal issues. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination, stating that it will still help limit cases despite the variant’s mutations. Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., noted, “It has a lot of mutations that may cause it to look different to your immune system.”

Despite these concerns, health officials, including Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre, have indicated that there is currently no evidence that BA.3.2 is causing more severe disease or hospitalizations compared to previous strains. This variant has been classified as a ‘variant under monitoring’ by the World Health Organization since December 2025.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reasons for the resurgence of BA.3.2, and the long-term impact of this variant on public health remains uncertain. As the situation evolves, continued surveillance and research will be crucial in understanding the implications of this emerging strain.