• Posted March 27, 2026

New COVID 'Cicada' Variant Is Spreading — What Experts Want You To Know

Another new COVID variant is starting to spread.

Health officials say the variant — known as BA.3.2 or "Cicada" — has been quietly circulating for years but is now being detected more often in the United States and around the world.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a March 19 report that cases are slowly increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also added Cicada to its “variants of monitoring” list as it pops up in more countries, USA Today reported.

So far, BA.3.2 has been found in more than 20 countries. In some places, it makes up as much as 30% of cases.

“Monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 provides valuable information about the potential for this new SARS-CoV-2 lineage to evade immunity from a previous infection or vaccination,” the CDC wrote in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The variant was named after a breed of insects that rarely emerge into view because it stayed mostly "underground" once it was detected.

Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said the variant was first identified in a traveler coming to the United States in June 2025. The first U.S. case was reported in January.

Since then, Cicada has been found in wastewater samples from 132 locations across at least 25 states.

Globally, the first known case was in South Africa in November 2024. The uptick began in September 2025.

BA.3.2 stands out because it contains about 70 to 75 mutations, making it different from previous strains.

As of March 14, the variant made up about 3.7% of wastewater samples collected, according to tracking data. Another variant, XFG, remains most dominant at 53%, followed by LF.7 at 10.3%, USA Today said.

But the Cicada version has spread more widely in parts of Europe.

“It is possible we will see Cicada become the dominant strain in the U.S., but that is by no means certain,” Hopkins told USA Today, adding that he is aware of concerns that it could drive a U.S. summer surge.

"Low vaccination rates and little to no public health effort toward stopping COVID infections and spread leaves us vulnerable," he said.

So far, symptoms appear to be similar to other COVID strains.

Those include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Coughing

• Changes in taste or smell

Some people have also reported a very painful sore throat, sometimes called "razorblade throat."

"I have not seen any data which indicates that Cicada is any more severe than other circulating variants," Hopkins said.

In its report, the CDC said monitoring spread of the BA.3.2 variant provides "valuable information" about its potential to evade immunity provided by previous vaccination or infection. 

"The number of mutations from JN.1 viruses makes it less likely that the current vaccines will be highly effective against Cicada, but we need more data to better answer this question," Hopkins said.

Nonetheless, vaccines should still help protect against severe illness and death. Taking some simple steps can also help reduce any risk:

• Stay home if you’re sick.

• Improve ventilation at home.

• Wear a high-quality mask if needed.

• Keep up with vaccines and boosters.

• Get tested if you have symptoms.

• Talk to your doctor if symptoms worsen.

• Get a lot of rest.

• Use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the new variant regularly.

SOURCE: USA Today, March 25, 2026