The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on March 29 that it has added the BA.3.2 variant, also called “Cicada,” to its list of variants under surveillance. This sublineage descends from the BA.3 branch of Omicron first detected in 2022 and has recently increased in presence across Europe and the United States after months of quiet circulation.
The name “Cicada” was suggested by Professor T. Ryan Gregory, referencing the insect’s behavior of remaining underground for years before emerging en masse—a parallel to how BA.3.2 circulated undetected since its initial identification in a traveler in San Francisco in June 2025 until wastewater analysis revealed a significant rise in early 2026.
Scientists are concerned about this variant because it carries between 70 and 75 mutations on its spike protein—the highest number recorded since Omicron’s emergence—raising concerns about increased ability to evade antibodies from previous infections or vaccinations.
Despite these genetic changes, experts say there is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness or leads to higher hospitalization rates compared to other strains. Reported symptoms include an extremely sharp sore throat described as “razor blade throat,” severe fatigue, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and more frequent gastrointestinal discomfort than seen with earlier variants.
In terms of global spread, Cicada accounts for less than five percent of cases in the United States—where the Stratus (XFG) variant remains dominant—but has reached a prevalence of up to thirty percent in countries such as Germany and Denmark, suggesting it could become dominant during the northern hemisphere summer.
Health authorities continue to recommend seasonal vaccination as a key measure against severe disease and death from Covid-19 despite ongoing viral evolution toward easier transmission. The guidance for those with symptoms remains: get tested, ventilate indoor spaces, and self-isolate if necessary.
While Argentina has not yet confirmed any official cases of Cicada locally, specialists warn that international travel makes its arrival likely given its detection in over twenty countries so far. National health officials are monitoring genetic sequences through Instituto Malbrán laboratories; experts emphasize that while high mutation counts may lead to reinfections, prior immunity and vaccines remain crucial defenses against serious illness if local transmission occurs.
