Cicada, the New COVID Variant BA.3.2 – Symptoms and Facts

A new COVID-19 variant is making headlines again—and understandably, it’s raising questions.

You may have seen it referred to as BA.3.2 or nicknamed the “Cicada” variant. But what exactly is it? Is it dangerous? And should you be worried?

Let’s break it down in a simple, practical way.

What Is the New COVID Variant BA.3.2?

BA.3.2 is a subvariant of Omicron, the same family of variants that has dominated COVID-19 in recent years.

It was first detected in South Africa in late 2024 and has since spread to multiple countries.

What makes this variant stand out is:

• A high number of mutations (over 70 in the spike protein)

• Possible increased ability to spread

• Potential to partially evade immunity from past infection or vaccination

Because of these features, the World Health Organization has classified it as a “variant under monitoring.”

That means scientists are watching it closely—but it is not currently classified as a major global threat.

Why Is It Called the “Cicada” Variant?

The nickname “Cicada” comes from its unusual pattern.

Like cicadas that stay underground for years and then suddenly appear, this variant:

• Emerged quietly

• Stayed relatively unnoticed

• Then began spreading more visibly later

Where Is It Spreading?

Recent reports show:

• Detected in multiple countries worldwide

• Found in wastewater samples and travelers

• Still a small percentage of total COVID cases in many regions

In other words, it’s spreading—but not dominating globally (yet).

Symptoms of the New COVID Variant

Here’s the reassuring part:

👉 Symptoms are largely similar to previous COVID variants.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Body aches

• Runny nose or congestion

• Loss of taste or smell (less common now)

Some reports suggest:

• More noticeable sore throat

• Upper respiratory symptoms (like a cold)

So clinically, it often feels like:

👉 A cold, flu, or mild respiratory infection

Is This Variant More Dangerous?

At this point, there is no strong evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness.

• Most cases remain mild to moderate

• Severe disease is still more likely in:

  • Older adults

  • People with chronic illnesses

  • Immunocompromised individuals

Health experts emphasize:

👉 The main concern is spread, not severity.

Do Vaccines Still Work?

Yes—this is important.

Even though BA.3.2 may partially evade immunity:

• Vaccines are still expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death

So vaccination and boosters remain relevant.

What Should You Do?

The advice hasn’t really changed:

• Stay home if you’re sick

• Wear a mask in high-risk settings

• Keep vaccinations up to date

• Practice good hygiene

If you develop severe symptoms like:

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain

• Confusion

👉 Seek medical care immediately.

Should You Be Worried?

Not alarmed—but aware.

Here’s the balanced perspective:

• ✔ It’s being monitored, not a crisis

• ✔ Symptoms are similar to previous variants

• ✔ Vaccines still offer protection against severe disease

• ✔ It may spread more easily, so surveillance matters

Final Thoughts

COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared—it has simply evolved.

Variants like BA.3.2 remind us of something important:

👉 The virus is still adapting, but so are we.

With better immunity, vaccines, and awareness, most infections today are far less severe than in the early pandemic days.

Related Articles:
1. COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know (And Why It Still Matters) 
2. New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1: How Dangerous Is It? Symptoms, Transmission and Updates
3. Summer COVID-19 Update: Stratus Variant & Rising US Cases
4. XFG & Other COVID-19 Variants: How They’re Changing the Game 
5. Long COVID and Brain Fog: Why Some Just Don’t Bounce Back 

Sources:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
  https://www.who.int

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  https://www.cdc.gov/covid

• Johns Hopkins University
  https://coronavirus.jhu.edu

• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
  https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19

• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus

• GISAID
  https://www.gisaid.org

• Our World in Data
  https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus