Six years after COVID-19 disrupted life worldwide, a new variant is drawing attention from health authorities. Called BA.3.2 and nicknamed 'Cicada,' the strain has reportedly been found in samples from at least 23 countries as of February 11, 2026.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified BA.3.2 as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM). The earliest known samples were collected in November 2024. Scientists first identified the variant in South Africa on November 22, 2024.
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What is the 'Cicada' variant?
BA.3.2 is a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant BA.3 and carries approximately 70-75 mutations in its spike protein compared to JN.1 and LP.8.1, the antigens used in the 2025-26 Covid vaccines. The nickname was given by T Ryan Gregory, a biology professor at the University of Guelph, Canada, reported Hindustan Times. He chose the name because the cicada insect stays underground for years before emerging, reflecting how this variant evolved quietly before surfacing.
Key signs you shouldn’t ignore
A report of News 18 suggested that BA.3.2 symptoms closely resemble those of recent variants. Common ones include fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, body aches, and a runny or blocked nose. Some people may also experience loss of taste or smell. Shortness of breath has been noted in more severe cases. How severe symptoms get depends on age, immunity levels, and existing health conditions.
How far has it spread?
As per the report of Hindustan Times, detections began rising in September 2025. In the United States, the variant was found in nasal swabs from four travellers, five clinical patients, three airplane wastewater samples, and 132 wastewater samples across 25 states. WHO noted that BA.3.2 shows "marked antigenic drift and substantial antibody escape" compared to earlier Omicron variants and current vaccine antigens.
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Should you be worried? Experts weigh in
According to WHO, "based on current evidence, BA.3.2 does not appear to pose additional public health risks beyond those associated with other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages". There are currently no clinical data suggesting increased disease severity or reduced response to available antivirals. The organisation also confirmed there are "no signals of increased hospitalisations, ICU admissions, or deaths" linked to the variant. Monitoring continues, however, given its strong immune-escape profile.
Dr S M Fayaz, Lead & Senior Consultant Internal Medicine at KIMS Hospitals Bengaluru, puts the situation in perspective and was quoted as saying by The Times of India, "The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues to occur and the recent discovery of another variant of this virus to have multiple spike protein mutations clearly demonstrates that COVID-19 is now an endemic respiratory virus that will change over time."
At the same time, he urges calm. "However, just because a variant has emerged does not mean there is now another crisis as happened at the start of the pandemic."
