Overview
- The CDC, which highlighted BA.3.2 in a March 19 report, reports 132 wastewater detections across 25 states plus small numbers in traveler and patient samples.
- International surveillance has identified the lineage in at least 23 countries, with higher shares reported in parts of Northern Europe.
- Lab studies indicate a spike protein with roughly 70 to 75 changes helps the variant evade some antibodies from the 2025–2026 vaccine formulations.
- The WHO and experts report no signal of increased severity, and current vaccines are still expected to protect against severe disease.
- First found in South Africa in November 2024 and in a U.S. traveler sample on June 27, 2025, BA.3.2 shows symptoms similar to recent Omicron strains as officials watch whether it gains ground.