As of early 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the variant has been detected in at least 25 states through wastewater surveillance, traveler screening, and clinical samples. Globally, it has made its way to at least 23 countries.
But before you hit the panic button, let's break down exactly what the Cicada variant is, where it came from, and what health experts actually want you to know.
Why is it Called the "Cicada" Variant?
The nickname is incredibly fitting. Just like the noisy insect that spends years buried underground before suddenly emerging in massive numbers, this virus stayed under the radar for a remarkably long time.BA.3.2 is a descendant of the BA.3 Omicron subvariant, which originally popped up back in 2022 alongside the earlier BA.1 and BA.2 waves before seemingly fading out of existence. The first known sample of this specific BA.3.2 strain was quietly collected in South Africa way back in November 2024. It stayed mostly undetected for nearly a year until it began triggering surveillance alerts in September 2025.
What Makes BA.3.2 Different?
Viruses mutate—that is simply what they do to survive. But BA.3.2 stands out because of how much it has changed. Researchers have noted that the Cicada variant carries a staggering 70 to 75 substitutions and deletions in its spike protein when compared to recent dominant strains.The spike protein is the part of the virus that allows it to bind to human cells. Because of these extensive genetic tweaks, laboratory studies suggest the Cicada variant has a higher capacity for "immune escape." In plain English: it might be better at slipping past the immune defenses built up by previous COVID-19 infections or older vaccines.
Where is it Spreading?
While the variant currently makes up a small percentage of total cases in the United States, its footprint is surprisingly wide. According to CDC data, BA.3.2 has been detected in 132 wastewater samples across 25 states, including California, New York, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and Nevada.Internationally, the variant has gained much more traction. Over the recent winter months, it accounted for up to 30% of sampled cases in parts of Northern Europe, heavily impacting countries like Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Should You Be Worried BA.3.2 'Cicada' COVID Variant?
The short answer from medical experts: stay aware, but don't panic.Right now, the World Health Organization classifies BA.3.2 as a "Variant Under Monitoring" rather than a "Variant of Concern." Despite its ability to bypass some immune defenses and easily reinfect people, there is currently no evidence to suggest that it causes more severe disease, worse clinical outcomes, or higher hospitalization rates.
Dr. Santosh Kumar Agrawal, a Director of Internal Medicine, recently explained that the vast majority of Cicada cases appear to be mild or moderate. However, he warned that vulnerable populations—such as the elderly, pregnant individuals, and the immunocompromised—need to remain cautious due to how easily the virus can transmit.
What Are the Symptoms of BA.3.2 'Cicada' COVID Variant?
If you do catch the Cicada variant, the illness will likely feel very similar to other recent Omicron offshoots. The hallmark sign currently being reported by many patients is a particularly severe, painful sore throat.Other common symptoms include:
- Fever with chills
- Runny and heavily congested nasal passages
- Dry, persistent coughing
- Severe fatigue and body aches
- Headaches
- Loss of taste and smell
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea or diarrhea)
