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BA.3.2 COVID-19 Variant Detected in Multiple Countries, Under Monitoring by Health Agencies

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SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2 ("Cicada"): A Global Monitoring Update

A SARS-CoV-2 variant designated BA.3.2, informally nicknamed "Cicada," has been identified in multiple countries and is under monitoring by global and national health organizations. Available data indicates the variant is not currently dominant in most regions and has not been linked to increased disease severity, though its genetic profile has prompted ongoing surveillance for potential immune evasion.

Variant Identification and Lineage

BA.3.2 is a sublineage of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Scientists describe it as a "highly divergent" lineage, meaning it is genetically distinct from recent dominant variants like those in the JN.1 family.

Origin and Global Spread

  • First Identified: South Africa in November 2024.
  • Global Reach: As of February and March 2026, it has been detected in at least 23 countries globally, including nations in Europe, the United States, and Australia.
  • European Prevalence: In Europe, BA.3.2 comprised up to 30% of sequenced cases in countries including Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands between November 2025 and January 2026. In Ireland, it accounted for 44.4% of confirmed cases in recent data, making it the dominant strain there.
  • Australia: The variant was first detected through wastewater surveillance in November 2025.

Detection in the United States

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported detections through multiple surveillance methods:

  • Nasal swabs from four travelers.
  • Three airplane wastewater samples.
  • Clinical samples from five patients.
  • 132 wastewater samples from 25 states as of February 2026, with later reports extending detections to 29 states and Puerto Rico.

The states where detections have been reported include California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Genetic Characteristics

BA.3.2 is notable for a high number of mutations. Sources report it carries approximately 70 to 75 mutations, insertions, or deletions, with over 50 changes specifically in its spike protein compared to its BA.3 parent lineage. The spike protein is the part of the virus that facilitates entry into human cells and is the primary target of vaccine-induced antibodies.

Assessment of Severity and Transmissibility

  • Severity: Multiple health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC, state there is currently no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness, increased hospitalizations, or deaths compared to other circulating variants.
  • Transmissibility: While described as "highly transmissible" in some reports, the WHO and other experts note that BA.3.2 has not demonstrated a sustained growth advantage over other co-circulating variants in most regions. Its prevalence in the U.S. remains low, representing less than 1% of sequenced cases in national surveillance.

Symptoms

Reported symptoms associated with BA.3.2 are consistent with those of other recent COVID-19 variants and commonly include:

  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Fever or chills
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Changes in taste or smell
  • Nausea or reduced appetite

Some reports note severe sore throat has been commonly reported with this variant.

Vaccine and Immunity Considerations

  • Laboratory studies indicate the variant's numerous spike protein mutations may give it "immune escape characteristics," potentially reducing the ability of antibodies from prior infection or vaccination to neutralize the virus.
  • A study noted that the 2025–2026 LP.8.1-adapted mRNA COVID-19 vaccine showed the lowest antibody neutralization against BA.3.2 among several variants tested in a lab setting.
  • Despite this, the WHO has stated that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals are still expected to provide protection against severe disease from BA.3.2.
  • The CDC states that the 2025–2026 vaccines provide protection against the predominant variants currently circulating in the U.S.

Public Health Guidance and Monitoring

  • The WHO has placed BA.3.2 on its "variants under monitoring" list.
  • The CDC and the Global Virus Network (GVN) emphasize that current evidence does not indicate a cause for heightened public alarm.
  • Standard public health recommendations are advised: staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and seeking testing and medical advice if symptoms occur.
  • Surveillance continues, including through genomic sequencing and wastewater testing programs like the CDC's Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance, which tests airplane wastewater for early detection of variants.

Pattern of Infection in Children

Several reports and data analyses, including from South Africa and New York City, suggest BA.3.2 may infect children between the ages of 3 and 15 more efficiently than adults. Experts have proposed several non-exclusive theories for this observation, including potentially faster waning of immunity in children, the variant's lack of certain genetic elements, and children's more frequent exposure to pathogens in group settings.

Experts caution that this pattern in sequencing data may also reflect differences in testing rates between children and adults. There is no indication the variant causes more severe disease in children.