A new COVID-19 variant originating from South Africa is gradually spreading across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2 variant has been identified in 23 countries as of February 11 and was first detected in South Africa in November 2024.
Scientists warn that BA.3.2 carries approximately 75 mutations in its spike protein, which may enable it to evade existing immune defenses. The CDC has expressed concerns that the 2025-2026 COVID vaccines might not be effective against this strain, as the mutations could prevent vaccine-induced antibodies from recognizing and neutralizing the virus.
The CDC is monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 through its Traveller-Based Genomic Surveillance program. By mid-March, the strain was detected in six travelers arriving in the US and in over two dozen patients across 29 states and Puerto Rico. It has also been found in 260 wastewater sites, signaling its presence in communities, though it accounts for only about 0.5% of recent virus sequences.
The first confirmed case of BA.3.2 in the US was reported in June 2025 in a traveler from the Netherlands. The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that BA.3.2 is a distinct lineage, different from other circulating variants such as JN.1, LP.8.1, and XFG, which have been present since January 2024.
While BA.3.2 saw a surge in Europe around September last year—comprising roughly 30% of cases in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands—it has not become a dominant strain. Experts suggest this may be because its mutations reduce its ability to bind effectively to human cells, limiting its spread.
Despite its potential to evade vaccine protection, health officials emphasize that current vaccines remain crucial in preventing severe illness. As of now, India has not reported any cases of the BA.3.2 variant.