A new variant of the coronavirus, BA.3.2 called “Cicada,” is drawing attention as it spreads across the United States and several other countries, even as overall case numbers remain low.
What makes this variable notable is not the sudden increase in hospitalizations or severe illness, but the way it has quietly evolved. BA.3.2 was first identified in November 2024 in South Africa, and did not immediately dominate news headlines. Instead, it circulated in the background for months before it began spreading globally late last year.
By February, the variant had already been detected in at least 25 states in the United States, a report by Today.com said, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant has also reportedly spread to more than 20 countries and is now contributing significantly to cases in parts of Europe, including Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
Why experts are watching BA.3.2 so closely
BA.3.2 reportedly stands out because of the sheer number of mutations it carries — particularly in the spike protein, the part of the virus that helps it enter human cells.
With 70-75 mutations in its spike protein, BA.3.2 is genetically distinct from recent variants such as JN.1 and LP.8.1, which current Covid vaccines are designed to target.
Does it cause more serious illness?
Despite its “hypermutated” appearance, there is no evidence yet that BA.3.2 makes people sicker.
Where it spreads
The spread of BA.3.2 has been gradual but steady. It was first detected in the United States in June 2025 in a traveler returning from the Netherlands at San Francisco International Airport. Since then, it has been found in travelers, patients and even in wastewater samples.
Globally, this variant is now found in at least 23 countries and is responsible for about 30% of cases in some European countries.
What are the symptoms?
For most people, infection with BA.3.2 is expected to look very similar to other recent coronavirus variants. Common symptoms include:
- cough
- Fever or chills
- sore throat
- congestion
- shortness of breath
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- exhaustion
- headache
- Digestive system problems
In December 2025, the World Health Organization classified BA.3.2 as a “surveillance variant,” reflecting its unusual mutation and increasing spread.
