The quietude around COVID-19 reporting is being disrupted. While overall cases remain low according to wastewater surveillance, a variant nicknamed “cicada” – officially BA.3.2 – is gaining traction and prompting renewed attention from infectious disease specialists. This isn’t a signal for immediate panic, but a crucial reminder that SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and vigilance remains necessary. The emergence of cicada underscores a broader trend: the virus’s ability to “smolder” in the background, accumulating mutations before resurfacing, and potentially challenging existing immunity.
- The BA.3.2 COVID variant, nicknamed “cicada,” is being closely monitored due to its significant number of mutations.
- This variant has the potential to evade immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
- While not currently causing widespread severe illness, its emergence highlights the virus’s continued evolution and the need for ongoing surveillance.
What is the cicada COVID variant and why now?
The cicada variant is a descendant of Omicron, the highly transmissible strain that dominated infections in 2021 and 2022. What sets it apart is its evolutionary history. As Dr. Adalja explains, it’s a re-emergence of a previously observed Omicron strain (BA.3) that went relatively quiet, accumulating a substantial number of mutations – 70 to 75 on its spike protein – during its period of dormancy. This high number of mutations is what’s raising eyebrows, as it suggests a greater potential for immune evasion.
The timing of its reappearance is also noteworthy. Waning immunity from prior vaccinations and infections, coupled with a decline in booster uptake, creates a more permissive environment for new variants to gain a foothold. The virus is constantly seeking ways to overcome the defenses we’ve built up, and cicada represents one such attempt.
Where has it spread?
As of now, the cicada variant has been detected in 23 countries and across 24 U.S. states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas. While its prevalence remains relatively low compared to the currently dominant XFG variant, its geographic spread indicates it’s not a localized phenomenon. Continued monitoring of its distribution will be critical.
Symptoms and Severity
Currently, the symptoms associated with the cicada variant appear to be consistent with those of other Omicron subvariants: fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, and fatigue. However, the high number of mutations raises concerns about potential changes in disease severity. While experts don’t anticipate a dramatic shift towards more severe illness, the increased immune evasion could lead to more breakthrough infections, even in vaccinated individuals.
The Forward Look: What Happens Next?
The key question now is whether cicada will continue to gain ground and potentially displace the XFG variant. Several factors will influence this trajectory. First, the effectiveness of the updated COVID-19 vaccines against this specific variant will be crucial. While the vaccines are likely to continue providing protection against severe illness, their ability to prevent infection may be diminished. Second, public health messaging and individual behavior will play a role. Increased awareness of the variant and a willingness to adopt preventative measures – such as masking in crowded indoor settings – could help slow its spread.
Perhaps most importantly, the emergence of cicada underscores the need for continued genomic surveillance. Tracking the evolution of the virus is essential for identifying new variants early on and adapting our public health strategies accordingly. We can expect increased scrutiny of variant data from the CDC and other public health agencies in the coming weeks and months. The situation with cicada is a reminder that COVID-19 is not “over,” but rather entering a phase of ongoing evolution and adaptation, requiring sustained vigilance and a flexible public health response.
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