New Cicada COVID Variant (BA.3.2) Shows Ability to Evade Immune Defenses
As spring approaches, a new type of cicada appears: it is not an insect, but a new variant of COVID-19.
As detections increased in late 2025, the “Cicada” variant, officially known as BA.3.2 and recently reported in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Reporthas now appeared in more than 20 countries. Although it has not caused widespread concern, its unusual genetic profile – particularly mutations in its spike protein – raises important questions about the resistance of existing immunity.
Unlike previous waves, where one variant quickly dominated, BA.3.2 is spreading more gradually. But its ability to partially evade immune defenses means it could still contribute to a seasonal increase in infections, particularly in populations that have already been exposed or vaccinated.
“In the United States, BA.3.2 was detected in nasal swabs from four travelers, in three airplane wastewater samples, in clinical samples from five patients, and in 132 wastewater samples from 25 U.S. states,” the CDC said in its report.
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What is the Cicada variant and where does it come from?
According to the CDC, BA.3.2 is a very distinct offshoot of the Omicron family, emerging independently of the JN.1 lineage that has circulated widely since early 2024. It was first identified in a respiratory sample collection in South Africa in November 2024, although signs of its spread had emerged months earlier.
By mid-2025, the variant had surfaced in international travel hubs, including a detection at San Francisco International Airport linked to a traveler arriving from the Netherlands. Since then, researchers have identified it through a combination of clinical trials and wastewater monitoring.
The researchers also identified at least two emerging sublineages of BA.3.2, suggesting that the virus continues to evolve as it circulates. Despite this, it has yet to outperform other variants, which is one of the main reasons it remains under surveillance rather than being classified as a strain of high concern.
Why Spike Protein Mutations Matter
The Cicada variant’s defining feature is changes to its spike protein – the structure the virus uses to enter human cells. This protein is also the main target of immune defenses built during vaccination or a previous infection.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, new SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the spike protein have continued to emerge, generating antigenic diversity and immune escape characteristics that require periodic reevaluation and reformulation of COVID-19 vaccine composition,” the CDC said in its report.
When mutations change the Spike protein, antibodies may bind less effectively, reducing their ability to neutralize the virus. Laboratory studies suggest that BA.3.2 exhibits enhanced immune evasion, meaning it can partially evade these defenses.
This doesn’t necessarily mean vaccines stop working, but it can increase the risk of breakthrough infections.
What to watch out for and how to stay protected
So far, the Cicada variant does not appear to cause any new or unusual symptoms. According to Stony Brook Medicine, its clinical profile mirrors that of other Omicron variants, with common signs including cough, fatigue, fever and body aches. Some people may also experience a sore throat, runny nose, headache, or shortness of breath.
While the Cicada variant is not causing panic, it is a reminder of how adaptable the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains and why continued vigilance is still a necessary part of life with COVID-19.
“Robust surveillance data will continue to guide CDC preparation, ensure rapid responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, and guide decision-making on COVID-19 vaccine composition updates,” the CDC concluded in its report.
This article does not offer medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
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