The “Cicada” COVID Variant Arrives in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know
A new, heavily mutated COVID-19 variant, dubbed “Cicada” due to its lengthy period of inactivity, has been detected in Massachusetts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The variant, officially known as BA.3.2, was first identified in South Africa in November 2024 and has since spread to 23 countries.
What Makes BA.3.2 Different?
BA.3.2 is described as “highly divergent” and has a unique characteristic: a prolonged period of dormancy before emerging. It originates from a strain that initially appeared between late 2021 and 2022. This “time jump” in its evolution is raising concerns among health officials.
Evading Immunity
Early studies suggest that BA.3.2 is efficiently evading antibodies generated by the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines, which are primarily designed to target the JN.1 strains. Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, explained that the significant number of mutations from JN.1 makes current vaccines less likely to be highly effective. More data is needed to fully understand the extent of this immune evasion.
Pro Tip: Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccinations remains the best defense against severe illness, even with emerging variants.
Is a Summer Surge Possible?
Although it’s not certain, some experts are concerned that BA.3.2 could potentially drive a summer surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. The CDC has warned that new variants capable of evading existing immunity could lead to seasonal increases in COVID-19 activity.
Current Vaccine Effectiveness
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that, despite the immune evasion, current COVID vaccines are still expected to provide protection against severe disease. Importantly, BA.3.2 doesn’t appear to be causing more severe illness than other Omicron subvariants, with no reported increases in hospitalizations or deaths so far.
BA.3.2’s Spread and Current Status
As of February 11, 2026, BA.3.2 had been detected in 25 U.S. States, including Massachusetts, through 132 wastewater samples. It has also been found in nasal swabs from travelers and clinical samples from patients. However, unlike previous strains, BA.3.2 hasn’t rapidly overtaken other variants and isn’t currently featured on the CDC’s variant tracker.
Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted that if BA.3.2 had a significant advantage, it would likely have dominated globally more quickly. Its continued presence, however, warrants ongoing monitoring.
Currently, COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts remain relatively low, and wastewater data supports this trend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the “Cicada” variant?
The “Cicada” variant (BA.3.2) is a new, highly mutated strain of COVID-19 that has been detected in Massachusetts and other parts of the world.
Is the current vaccine effective against BA.3.2?
Early studies suggest that BA.3.2 is efficiently evading antibodies from the 2025-2026 vaccines, but vaccines are still expected to protect against severe illness.
Should I be concerned about a new surge?
It’s possible BA.3.2 could contribute to a summer surge, but it’s not certain. Health officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Stay informed: For the latest updates on COVID-19 and variant tracking, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 variant page.
What are your thoughts on the new variant? Share your concerns and questions in the comments below!
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