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A new variant of COVID-19, officially known as BA.3.2 but nicknamed ‘Cicada’, is spreading globally and has been detected in 23 countries, including the United States. While not considered more dangerous than recent strains, the variant’s potential to evade immunity is raising concerns among health officials. The variant first appeared in South Africa in November 2024 and has since been found in multiple U.S. states. Symptoms are similar to other COVID-19 variants, but BA.3.2 carries significant genetic changes that could reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines.
Why it matters
The emergence of BA.3.2 highlights the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in public health strategies. While a major crisis like the early stages of the pandemic is not anticipated, the variant’s ability to potentially bypass existing immunity underscores the importance of monitoring new strains and maintaining protective measures.
The details
BA.3.2 has been designated a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization, meaning it exhibits characteristics that warrant close observation. The variant first appeared in a respiratory sample collected in South Africa in November 2024 and has since been reported in 23 countries, including Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan, and Kenya. In the United States, BA.3.2 has been detected in 25 states, with the initial U.S. detection occurring on June 27, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport.
BA.3.2 first appeared in a respiratory sample collected in South Africa in November 2024.The initial U.S. detection of BA.3.2 occurred on June 27, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport.
The players
World Health Organization (WHO)
The global health agency that has designated BA.3.2 as a Variant Under Monitoring.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The U.S. public health agency that is closely tracking the trajectory and genetic changes of the BA.3.2 variant.
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What’s next
The CDC and WHO are closely monitoring the spread and genetic changes of the BA.3.2 variant to better understand its potential impact on public health.
The takeaway
The emergence of the BA.3.2 variant, nicknamed ‘Cicada’, underscores the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in public health strategies. While the variant’s ability to evade immunity is concerning, health officials emphasize the importance of staying informed and following recommended guidelines to maintain protection against all COVID-19 variants.
