A COVID-19 variant that has remained largely undetected for years is now drawing attention from health officials in the United States and internationally.
What is the COVID variant ‘Cicada’ (BA.3.2)?
“Cicada” is a nickname for BA.3.2, a highly mutated COVID-19 variant. It was first detected in a person traveling to the U.S. In June 2025, and the name references the rarely-emerging insects because it has remained largely “underground” since its discovery, according to Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
The first U.S. Case was diagnosed in January. Between then and February 11, the variant was detected in wastewater samples from 132 sites across at least 25 states, as well as in samples from travelers’ voluntary nose swabs, according to the CDC. BA.3.2 has also been reported in at least 23 countries, with the first worldwide case detected in South Africa in November 2024. Cases began increasing in September 2025, the CDC reports.
Where is the BA.3.2 ‘Cicada’ variant spreading?
The CDC’s data from February 11 tracked the presence of BA.3.2 in 25 states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Novel Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.
More recent data from WasteWaterSCAN, a Stanford University-led tool, found BA.3.2 was detected in 3.7% of wastewater samples as of March 14. Variant XFG remains dominant at 53% of samples, followed by LF.7 with 10.3%. The variant currently accounts for about 30% of COVID-19 sequences in Germany and some other Northern European countries, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, as of January.
What are the symptoms of Cicada?
The symptoms of the “Cicada” variant are consistent with other COVID-19 variants. The CDC indicates symptoms may include a runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and changes to the sense of smell or taste. Some later variants have been associated with “razorblade throat,” based on increased reports of throat pain.
Dr. Hopkins stated that there is no data indicating that “Cicada” is more severe than other circulating variants, and a severe sore throat is a commonly reported symptom alongside other typical COVID symptoms.
What to do if you test positive
While the mutations in the variant may reduce the effectiveness of current COVID-19 boosters, they can still offer protection against severe illness and death, especially as vaccine formulations are updated. If you test positive, the CDC recommends staying home, improving ventilation, wearing a well-fitted N95 mask, staying up to date on vaccinations, monitoring symptoms, and following healthcare provider guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BA.3.2 variant nicknamed?
The BA.3.2 variant is nicknamed “Cicada” because it has largely remained undetected since its initial discovery.
In what countries has the BA.3.2 variant been detected?
The BA.3.2 variant has been reported in more than 20 countries, including Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and at least 23 other nations, according to the CDC.
What does the CDC say about monitoring the spread of BA.3.2?
The CDC states that 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.
As this variant continues to be tracked, will it become a dominant strain and potentially cause a surge in cases remains to be seen?
