Highly Mutated 'Cicada' COVID Variant Detected in 25 U.S. States, Health Authorities Say

A newly tracked COVID-19 variant, nicknamed Cicada and officially designated as BA.3.2, has been detected in at least 25 states across the United States as of late March, according to health authorities. The variant has drawn close monitoring from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) after its international spread accelerated in late 2025.

First identified in a traveler to the U.S. in June 2025, BA.3.2 was subsequently diagnosed in a domestic patient in January 2026. CDC data indicates that, as of February 11, the variant was present in wastewater samples from 132 sites in more than two dozen states, and found in nasal swabs from travelers. Internationally, BA.3.2 surged to represent up to 30% of COVID-19 infections in several Eastern European countries by February 2026.

Researchers classify Cicada as a "highly mutated" lineage, with 70 to 75 mutations differentiating it from previous dominant strains like JN.1, according to Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. This genetic makeup is believed by experts to increase the variant's ability to evade prior immunity from vaccination or earlier infections.

The symptoms caused by BA.3.2 largely mirror those of other COVID-19 variants, with common reports of fever, cough, sore throat—sometimes described as "severe"—headache, fatigue, and changes in taste or smell. Health authorities stress that testing remains the only reliable way to distinguish COVID-19 from other respiratory illnesses with overlapping symptoms.

While current COVID-19 boosters may offer reduced protection against infection by BA.3.2, medical experts and the CDC continue to recommend immunization to prevent severe illness. CDC guidelines also urge those testing positive to isolate, wear high-quality masks, and consult healthcare providers as needed. The situation remains under close observation as health officials continue to track the spread and characteristics of the variant.