A new Covid-19 subvariant, known as BA.3.2 or “Cicada,” is rapidly spreading across the United States, raising concerns among health officials. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified BA.3.2 as a Variant Under Monitoring, indicating it is under close observation for potential increased danger, though it is not currently considered a major threat.
First detected in South Africa in late 2024, the Cicada variant has since been identified in at least 23 countries worldwide and is now present in 29 US states. The CDC reports that BA.3.2 carries 70 to 75 mutations in the spike protein—a significantly higher number than the original Omicron strain—raising questions about its ability to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.
Despite its rapid spread, there is no evidence yet that Cicada causes more severe illness. Symptoms tend to mirror those of earlier Omicron strains, including sore throat, fever, chills, cough, fatigue, headache, and nasal congestion. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell.
The WHO emphasizes that BA.3.2 is still rare globally and has not shown significant growth compared to other emerging variants such as NB.1.8.1 and XFG. Currently, it does not appear to be causing increased disease severity.
Regarding vaccination, experts note that while the variant may have some resistance to existing vaccines—initially designed for earlier lineages—vaccination continues to offer strong protection against severe illness and death.
Is India at Risk?
According to WHO assessments, the Cicada variant does not currently pose a significant threat to India. The global prevalence remains low, and most cases associated with BA.3.2 are mild, with patients recovering with standard care. There have been no reports of substantial increases in infections linked to this variant in India so far.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, but at this stage, there is no cause for immediate concern.