What we know about ‘Cicada’: The Covid-19 variant confirmed in over 22 countries

A new COVID-19 variant known as BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada", is drawing global attention as health authorities confirm its presence in more than 23 countries, including Japan, Kenya, the UK, France, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cicada was first identified in South Africa in November 2024. The variant is now being closely monitored due to its unusually high number of mutations and its steady spread across multiple regions, including parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

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The Cicada variant is part of the Omicron family, which has been the most common type of COVID-19 globally since 2021.

What makes this one different is the number of changes, or mutations, it carries. Scientists say it has a high number of mutations, especially in the spike protein, the part responsible for attaching to human cells.

This has raised concerns about how easily the variant may spread and whether it could partially evade existing immunity from vaccines or prior infections.

Despite these changes, global health bodies have not classified BA.3.2 as a “variant of concern". Instead, it is currently designated as a “variant under monitoring", meaning it is being tracked but has not yet shown evidence of causing more severe disease.

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So far, the variant has been detected in at least 23 countries across different regions, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Health agencies report that in some countries, it was picked up through routine testing. In others, it showed up in wastewater surveillance, which is often used to detect early signs of community spread.

The growing list of affected countries suggests that the variant is already moving across borders, though it is believed to be more widespread than reported, especially in countries with limited testing and tracking systems.

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So far, there is no clear evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness than previous Omicron variants.

Reported symptoms remain largely consistent with known COVID-19 infections, including sore throat, fever, fatigue, and mild respiratory discomfort.

Public health experts emphasise that while the variant may be more transmissible, increased spread does not automatically translate to higher severity.

So far, there’s no sign that it’s more dangerous. 

Early observations suggest that existing COVID-19 vaccines may not be as effective in protecting against infection from the Cicada variant due to its mutations.

However, vaccines are still expected to provide strong protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death.

That’s why health officials are still encouraging vaccination, especially for people at higher risk.

The primary concern surrounding BA.3.2 is not necessarily its current impact but its potential. With so many mutations, there’s still a lot scientists don’t know about how this variant could behave in the long run.

There’s also the issue of limited tracking in some parts of the world, which means the full picture might not be clear yet.

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As at the time of writing, there are no widely confirmed cases locally right now, but that doesn’t mean the risk is zero.

With international travel and limited genomic surveillance, new variants can enter and spread quietly before being detected.

For many people, COVID-19 may feel like a thing of the past, but situations like this are a reminder that the virus hasn’t completely gone away.

The Cicada variant is not being treated as a major threat for now, but it’s a clear sign that COVID-19 is still developing.