New 'Cicada' COVID Variant Spreads Globally, Evades Immunity

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A new variant of COVID-19, officially known as BA.3.2 but nicknamed 'Cicada', is spreading globally and has been detected in 23 countries, including the United States. While not considered more dangerous than recent strains, the variant's potential to evade immunity is raising concerns among health officials. The variant first appeared in South Africa in November 2024 and has since been found in multiple U.S. states. Symptoms are similar to other COVID-19 variants, but BA.3.2 carries significant genetic changes that could reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines.

Why it matters

The emergence of BA.3.2 highlights the ongoing evolution of the COVID-19 virus and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in public health strategies. While a major crisis like the early stages of the pandemic is not anticipated, the variant's ability to potentially bypass existing immunity underscores the importance of monitoring new strains and maintaining protective measures.

The details

BA.3.2 has been designated a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization, meaning it exhibits characteristics that warrant close observation. The variant first appeared in a respiratory sample collected in South Africa in November 2024 and has since been reported in 23 countries, including Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan, and Kenya. In the United States, BA.3.2 has been detected in 25 states, with the initial U.S. detection occurring on June 27, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport.

• BA.3.2 first appeared in a respiratory sample collected in South Africa in November 2024.
• The initial U.S. detection of BA.3.2 occurred on June 27, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport.

What’s next

The CDC and WHO are closely monitoring the spread and genetic changes of the BA.3.2 variant to better understand its potential impact on public health.