The BA.3.2 variant of COVID-19, also referred to as the Cicada variant, has been detected in at least 25 states across the United States, raising concerns among health officials. First identified in South Africa in November 2024, BA.3.2 has approximately 70-75 mutations in its spike protein, which could impact vaccine effectiveness.
According to the CDC, BA.3.2 has been found across 132 monitoring sites through U.S. wastewater surveillance, indicating its widespread presence. The variant has been classified as a ‘variant under monitoring’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) since December 2025.
Symptoms associated with BA.3.2 include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache, fever, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite these symptoms, current evidence suggests that the variant is not causing more severe disease or higher mortality rates compared to previous strains.
Brandon Dionne, a health expert, expressed concern about the 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, Andrew Pekosz noted, “It looks scary on paper, but it hasn’t really made a big impact in terms of disease in most places yet.”
As of late March 2026, BA.3.2 accounts for approximately 30% of cases in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, while in the U.S., it was detected in 11% of wastewater samples during the week ending March 21.
Despite the emergence of this variant, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination. Pekosz stated, “Vaccination is still going to help limit cases,” while Neil Maniar highlighted the need to focus on protecting higher-risk individuals and maintaining standard precautions.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact prevalence of BA.3.2 in the U.S., as reduced surveillance may affect data accuracy. Additionally, it remains uncertain how effective current vaccines will be against this new variant.
The ongoing monitoring of BA.3.2 will be crucial as health authorities continue to assess its impact on public health and vaccination strategies.
