Highly Mutated COVID-19 Variant 'Cicada' Detected in Half of US States

Key Points

• BA.3.2 'Cicada' variant detected in 25 US states and 22 other countries
• Variant has 70-75 spike protein mutations, significantly more than previous variants
• CDC researchers say it efficiently evades antibodies from vaccination or prior infection
• Not a descendant of JN.1 lineage that current vaccines target

Full Details

A new COVID-19 variant with an extremely high number of mutations is spreading across the United States and raising concerns among public health officials. The variant, designated BA.3.2 and nicknamed 'Cicada,' has been detected in approximately half of U.S. states and 22 other countries, according to a CDC report published recently. The variant contains about 70 to 75 changes in its spike protein gene sequence—the structure that helps the virus enter human cells—which is significantly more mutations than previous variants. CDC researchers noted that BA.3.2 efficiently evades antibodies, likely due to these spike protein mutations, and may weaken protection from vaccination or prior infection. The variant is not considered a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, which current COVID-19 vaccines target. The WHO stated that existing vaccines and antivirals are expected to continue providing protection against severe disease, though ongoing genomic surveillance remains critical.