Overview
- Cicada, also called BA.3.2, has been detected through sequencing and wastewater in at least 23 countries and in roughly 25 U.S. states, with recent reports noting cases in Florida, Canada, the U.K. and across Australia.
- Cicada is an Omicron descendant with about 70 to 75 spike mutations, and early lab studies suggest it can evade some antibodies that target more recent strains.
- WHO lists the lineage under monitoring and experts report no signal of greater severity, with no clear rise in hospitalizations compared with other recent Omicron variants.
- Vaccines are still expected to protect against severe disease, and officials advise boosters for older adults and people with underlying conditions as real‑world effectiveness is assessed.
- Prevalence has grown in parts of Europe and some U.S. regions but remains a minority of cases, and public health guidance stresses familiar steps like staying home when sick, masking around others, and considering antivirals if at high risk.