What to Know About the New COVID Variant BA 3.2 (Cicada)
A pediatric infectious disease expert shares information on the Cicada variant, the latest COVID strain spreading in the U.S., and whether children are more at risk of infection.
A new COVID variant, called BA 3.2 and nicknamed “Cicada”, is circulating in the U.S. and was detected in wastewater in 25 states, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BA 3.2 strain is a mutation of the Omicron variant (BA 1), named Cicada since like the insects, the variant has a pattern of disappearing and then reemerging months later.
Researchers are looking at whether children are at increased risk for infection from BA 3.2 compared to adults, but the evidence is still limited, says Dr. Karen Acker, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital of Children’s Hospital of New York.
“Thus far, this variant appears to be more prevalent in children than adults, but it is unclear if children are truly more susceptible than adults,” says Dr. Acker. “We are seeing a small uptick in COVID, but kids are not being hospitalized with severe infections. While we don’t need to be too concerned, think of this as an opportunity to make sure you are up to date on your COVID vaccine and staying protected.”
To learn more about the Cicada variant, the symptoms, and ways to prevent infection, Health Matters spoke to Dr. Acker.
Is the new Cicada variant more transmissible?
The BA 3.2 variant has more than 70 mutations compared to the initial COVID strain. When we see that many mutations, it can be concerning because the variant may become more infectious or the vaccine may be less effective. That’s not what we’re seeing with BA 3.2 based on our tracking of hospitalizations and severe infections. Even though it has many mutations, BA 3.2 accounts for only about 0.19% of the variants causing COVID infections in the U.S, per the CDC report. Globally, BA.3.2 accounts for about 8% of variants per the WHO.
Are COVID cases currently increasing?
We are seeing a small uptick in COVID cases, but rates are relatively low overall, and kids are not being hospitalized.
Do you expect to see a wave of infections?
We’re not sure at this point, especially the way this variant seems to behave — where it goes away and comes back and then goes away.
Right now, we don't anticipate this causing this big surge the way we've seen in the past. We know that COVID is going to continue to circulate, there will be new variants, and people will get infections, but we also have a population with a lot of immunity due to vaccinations or prior COVID infections.
What are the symptoms of the Cicada variant?
Symptoms are similar to those of a cold, like the other variants. The main symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Runny nose or congestion
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Are children more susceptible to the Cicada variant?
We don’t have enough data to say for sure that children are more at risk. Preliminary reports are showing that a higher percentage of children with COVID are infected with the BA 3.2 variant compared to adults, but the overall numbers of children evaluated were not very high and thus this could represent a sampling bias.
If children are more likely to be infected by BA 3.2 than adults, it could also reflect that children may just have less COVID immunity overall. They may not have been exposed to other COVID variants to build up immunity, or they may not have been vaccinated.
Will the vaccine protect against the Cicada variant?
The most recent version of the COVID vaccine is the updated 2025-26 vaccine. Even if it doesn’t cover specifically the BA.3.2 and other variants, it will likely protect against severe disease. If you are due for a COVID vaccine and are at high risk, getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe.
What are current COVID vaccine guidelines?
For children, we follow the vaccine schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends all children 6 months and older be vaccinated for COVID. Infants and toddlers 6 to 23 months need a vaccine series or a single updated dose, depending on whether they’ve been vaccinated before.
For adults, the CDC recommends vaccination for everyone 65 and older, as well as adults at high risk for severe illness and who have never been vaccinated. If you’ve recently had COVID, you can wait about three months before getting vaccinated, although you can get the vaccine sooner if you are high risk.
The vaccine should be available through doctor’s offices and your local pharmacy.
How else can you stay safe from COVID?
Other than getting vaccinated, one of the best ways to protect yourself is good hand hygiene. And during respiratory virus season, when many viruses are circulating, avoiding crowded areas or wearing a mask will help you stay protected.
Do COVID tests work for the Cicada variant?
The COVID tests will detect the BA 3.2 variant. If your COVID test is negative and you have cold symptoms, it's likely something other than COVID.
Does COVID normally circulate in the spring and summer months?
The COVID seasonality is different from other respiratory viruses, which typically circulate from September to March. COVID comes in waves, and in the past, we’ve had waves of infections in the summer months. So, if you’re not vaccinated, you don’t need to wait until the fall. Just get vaccinated because we can’t always predict when the next wave of COVID will happen.
If you do have COVID, what are the treatment options?
In most cases, no specific treatment is required for COVID infection, especially if your child is otherwise healthy without risk factors for developing a severe infection. Children who are 12 years and older with high-risk conditions can consider Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, but you should discuss with your child’s pediatrician if this is appropriate. If a child is hospitalized with respiratory disease due to COVID, therapy options may include antiviral or steroid therapy.
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