World Health Organization tracking new COVID variant, found in more than 20 states
WRAL • • general
Key Points:
- A new COVID-19 variant named Cicada has been identified in at least 23 countries, with initial detection in South Africa in November 2024.
- The variant has caused a recent rise in cases worldwide, although it spread slowly at first and experts are uncertain why cases are now increasing.
- Cicada has been detected in wastewater samples across more than 20 U.S. states, but it has not yet led to a significant number of new COVID cases in the country.
- Experts caution that Cicada may evade immunity from vaccines or prior infections, potentially putting more strain on immune systems.
- Despite concerns about its transmissibility and immune evasion, Cicada is not believed to cause as severe symptoms as earlier COVID-19 strains.
