What to Know About Cicada, the New COVID Variant
Time Magazine • • health
Key Points:
- The BA.3.2 COVID variant, nicknamed Cicada, first appeared in South Africa in late 2024 and has recently caused about 30% of COVID infections in Europe, while its presence in the U.S. remains limited but spreading across more than two dozen states.
- Cicada carries 70 to 75 new mutations in the spike protein, more than dominant variants from 2023, but remains part of the Omicron family, suggesting some genetic similarities to recent strains.
- Updated vaccines targeting Omicron strains, such as JN.1, still offer some protection against Cicada, though lab data indicate reduced effectiveness due to the variant’s mutations.
- COVID vaccination rates have declined amid confusion over federal recommendations, especially among high-risk groups who are now more frequently hospitalized; experts emphasize vaccines primarily prevent severe disease and hospitalizations rather than mild infections.
- Symptoms of Cicada infection mirror those of previous COVID variants and the flu, and current COVID tests are expected to detect this variant, though further data is needed to determine if Cicada causes more severe disease or will become dominant.
