Coronavirus is once again in the headlines. Recently, a new variant of COVID-19 has emerged, which has been named BA.3.2. In common parlance, scientists are calling it ‘Cicada’. Let us know about this new variant in detail:
Why was it named ‘Cicada’?
This new variant belongs to a much older lineage of Omicron (BA.3), which was almost extinct by the beginning of 2022. However, after a long gap, this variant has suddenly resurfaced. That’s why it was named ‘cicada’—a reference to the insect that hides underground for years and then suddenly emerges.
Where did this new variant come from?
This new variant first emerged in South Africa in late 2024; However, now this virus is spreading rapidly in many countries including America, Europe and Australia.
Why is ‘Cicada’ a matter of concern?
Scientists are cautious about this virus because many mutations have occurred in it. Specifically, its external structure—the spike protein—has seen more than 50 mutations compared to its previous forms, and more than 70 mutations compared to the original ‘Wuhan virus’.
As a result, it remains a matter of concern for three main reasons:
**Escape from immunity:** It has the ability to easily escape our body’s immune system or dodge the protective effects of the vaccine.
**Rapid Spread:** It is capable of spreading much faster than previous variants.
**New behaviour:** Some new biological changes may be seen in the way the virus works.
Should we be afraid of this?
For now, there is no need to panic. Early research suggests that although it may spread quickly, there is no evidence yet that it is any more dangerous or deadly than previous Omicron variants. Given the changes observed in it, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a “variant under surveillance” (VUM) in December 2025.
