A new variant of COVID 19 has been tracked known as Cicada or BA 3.2. It has drawn global attention for being detected across 24 countries. The health authorities are also monitoring its spread in the United States.
The variant was first identified in November 2024 in South Africa. The variants have gradually spread across multiple regions.
The regions include North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. This growing footprint has raised a lot of concerns because the high number of mutations found in its spike protein are unusual.
The latest health data indicates that BA 3.2 has around 70 to 75 spike protein mutations. This makes it significantly earlier from different strains targeted by recent COVID vaccines.
According to the experts these genetic changes could help the variants partially dodge the immunity that was built through vaccination or prior infection. That is the reason this variant is being watched closely.
When compared to the other variants there is no evidence indicating that Cicada causes illness severe than other variants.
The only thing concerning is its ability to be able to evade antibodies in laboratory testing. This means that continued surveillance is important. Especially considering that infections have spread to over 24 countries.
The countries and territories where the variant has been reported include:
- South Africa
- Mozambique
- Kenya
- Denmark
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- England
- Belgium
- Czechia
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- USA
- Canada
- Japan
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- New Zealand
The immediate concern of health experts is only monitoring and not to panic. The Cicada has not been linked to a global surge so far but due to its mutations it is being closely watched.
Also read: Covid 19 cicada variant: Symptoms, risks, and how to stay safe
