Summary
A new COVID-19 variant named "cicada," officially BA.3.2, has appeared in the U.S. and Europe. It has many mutations that might help it bypass immunity from current vaccines, but it is not yet clear how severe or transmissible it is compared to other variants.
Key Facts
- The "cicada" variant, BA.3.2, was first identified in South Africa in November 2024.
- It appeared in the U.S. by June 2025 in a traveler and was detected in more states by December.
- Experts say the variant has 70 to 75 mutations, more than the dominant COVID-19 strains.
- It's part of the omicron family and is currently a minority strain in the U.S.
- The variant accounted for 30% of cases in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands during the winter.
- The severity of the "cicada" variant is still unclear, with no current evidence it is worse than previous variants.
- The variant might evade vaccines and previous immunity, but vaccines are still expected to help prevent severe illness.
- Public health officials suggest getting a COVID-19 shot annually, similar to flu shots.
