A new, highly mutated COVID-19 variant known as BA.3.2, informally known as “Cicada,” is being closely monitored by health officials as it gradually spreads around the world.
according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)As of February 2026, the variant has been detected in at least 25 U.S. states through wastewater surveillance, clinical samples and traveler testing. Globally, the variant has appeared in at least 23 countries.
While its overall prevalence in the United States remains low, testing rates have increased significantly in parts of Europe. according to today.comIn recent months, it has accounted for as much as 30% of samples in countries such as Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.
What is BA.3.2 (Cicada)?
BA.3.2 is a descendant of the BA.3 Omicron subvariant, which first appeared in 2022 with BA.1 and BA.2 but has largely disappeared from circulation. It was first detected in respiratory samples in South Africa on November 22, 2024.
For nearly a year, the variant went virtually undetected, and starting in September 2025, detections began to increase. The researchers nicknamed it “cicada” because, like the insect that spends years underground before emerging, this variant remained low profile for long periods of time before making major changes.
This variant carries approximately 70-75 substitutions and deletions in the spike protein compared to the most recent dominant strain. Laboratory studies show that these changes allow it to partially evade antibodies generated by previous infection or vaccination.
However, experts stress there is no evidence it causes more severe illness.
“There is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness or hospitalizations in countries where it is more prevalent,” Dr. Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, director of the Institute for Global Health and Emerging Pathogens at Mount Sinai, told TODAY.com.
“Of course it can still cause problems, but it’s no more problematic than previous strains,” Garcia-Sastre said.
BA.3.2 What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of BA.3.2 are similar to those caused by other currently circulating Omicron subvariants. Common signs include:
cough
fever or chills
sore throat
congestion
Shortness of breath
Loss of smell or taste
fatigue
Headache
gastrointestinal symptoms
Spread in the United States
As of February 2026, CDC has confirmed detections of BA.3.2 in the following 25 states:
california
connecticut
Florida
hawaii
idaho
Louisiana
maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
michigan
missouri
nevada
New Hampshire
new jersey
New York
Ohio
pennsylvania
rhode island
south carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
virginia
Wyoming
