The BA.3.2 variant, also referred to as the COVID-19 Cicada variant, was first identified in South Africa on November 1, 2024. Since then, it has been detected in at least 23 countries, including 25 states in the U.S., raising alarms among health officials.
This variant carries approximately 70-75 mutations in the spike protein, which may allow it to partially evade immunity from prior infections or current vaccines. Brandon Dionne, a public health expert, expressed concern, stating, “There definitely are quite a few mutations with this one, so there’s concern that the current vaccine is not going to be a great match.”
Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache, fever, nausea, and diarrhea. As the variant spreads, the CDC and WHO are closely monitoring its impact on public health.
Despite the concerning mutations, some experts believe the variant has not yet made a significant impact on disease severity in most regions. Andrew Pekosz noted, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.”
Current vaccines are expected to provide some level of protection against BA.3.2, although the exact effectiveness remains uncertain. Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre commented, “It’s not completely clear how effective the current vaccine will be, but it likely still has some effectiveness.”
As of now, COVID-19 continues to claim lives, with estimates of 300-500 deaths per week linked to the virus in the U.S. Additionally, 11 percent of wastewater samples have tested positive for BA.3.2, indicating its presence in communities.
The variant is a descendent of BA.3, an omicron subvariant that emerged in 2022, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the virus. Neil Maniar emphasized the importance of protecting higher-risk individuals and continuing standard precautions during this time.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact prevalence of BA.3.2 in the U.S. due to reduced surveillance, and it remains uncertain how the variant will evolve and whether it will lead to a surge in cases.
