The BA.3.2 variant of COVID-19, often referred to as the Cicada variant, has been detected in at least 25 states across the United States, raising concerns among health officials. This variant, first identified in South Africa in November 2024, carries approximately 70-75 mutations in its spike protein, which may impact vaccine effectiveness.
According to wastewater surveillance, BA.3.2 has been found across 132 monitoring sites in the U.S. Recent data indicates that it accounts for about 11% of wastewater samples collected during the week ending March 21, 2026. In some European countries like Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, BA.3.2 has driven around 30% of cases.
Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache, fever, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite the concerning number of mutations, experts like Andrew Pekosz note, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.” This suggests that while vigilance is necessary, the immediate threat may not be as severe as initially feared.
The World Health Organization classified BA.3.2 as a “variant under monitoring” in December 2025, indicating that it is being closely observed for any changes in behavior. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines available are primarily targeting variants from the Omicron lineage, particularly JN.1 and its descendants.
Brandon Dionne, a health expert, expressed concerns regarding the variant’s mutations, stating, “There definitely are quite a few mutations with this one, so there’s concern that the current vaccine is not going to be a great match.” However, he and other experts emphasize that vaccination remains crucial in limiting the spread of cases.
Neil Maniar highlighted the importance of protecting higher-risk individuals and continuing standard precautions, as the variant is not currently associated with increased severity of disease or higher mortality rates. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact prevalence of BA.3.2 in the U.S. due to reduced surveillance efforts. Additionally, uncertainties linger about how effective the current vaccines will be against this new variant.
