New COVID 'cicada' variant spreads to 25 states: What to know
WPDE • • general
Key Points:
- The BA 3.2 COVID variant, nicknamed "cicada," has been detected in at least 25 U.S. states and was first identified in the U.S. in June 2025, though initially discovered in South Africa in November 2024.
- The variant is highly transmissible and may evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, according to the CDC, which found it in clinical samples, nasal swabs, and wastewater across multiple states.
- Symptoms of the cicada variant are similar to other COVID strains, including runny nose, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and changes in smell or taste, with no evidence suggesting it causes more severe illness.
- Despite COVID-19 being less severe than during the pandemic peak, the 2024–2025 respiratory virus season still resulted in significant hospitalizations and deaths, highlighting ongoing risks.
- The CDC emphasizes the importance of robust surveillance to monitor emerging variants like cicada and guide vaccine updates and public health responses.
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