New COVID Variant ‘Cicada’ Spreading: What to Know
Updated March 26, 2026, 1:23 p.m. CT
A heavily mutated COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “Cicada” (BA.3.2), is spreading across the United States and globally, prompting close monitoring by public health officials. Although current cases remain relatively low nationally, experts are watching the variant’s trajectory and potential to cause a summer surge.
What is the COVID Variant ‘Cicada’ (BA.3.2)?
BA.3.2, dubbed “Cicada” by evolutionary biologist T. Ryan Gregory, Ph.D., due to its long period of remaining undetected before resurfacing, is a descendent of earlier Omicron subvariants 1. First identified in November 2024 in South Africa, it began circulating more widely in September 2025 2. The variant has since been detected in at least 23 countries 3.
What sets BA.3.2 apart is its significant number of mutations – approximately 70-75 changes in the spike protein 4. These mutations may allow the virus to evade immunity from prior infections or vaccinations 1.
Is BA.3.2 ‘Cicada’ in the US? Where is it Spreading?
As of February 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected BA.3.2 in wastewater samples from at least 25 U.S. States 1, 2, 3, 4. These states include California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming 2. The variant was first detected in the U.S. In June 2025 in a traveler arriving at San Francisco International Airport from the Netherlands 2.
As of March 14, 2026, BA.3.2 accounted for 3.7% of wastewater samples analyzed by WasteWaterSCAN 2. The XFG variant remains dominant, accounting for 53% of samples.
What are the Symptoms of Cicada?
The symptoms of BA.3.2 are similar to those of other COVID-19 variants 1 and include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Changes to the sense of smell or taste
Some individuals may experience a severe sore throat, sometimes described as “razorblade throat” 2.
What to Do If You Test Positive for COVID
If you suspect you have COVID-19 or test positive, the CDC recommends the following 5:
- Stay home and separate from others.
- Improve ventilation in your home.
- Wear a high-quality mask (N95 or equivalent) when around others.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
- Monitor your symptoms and consult with your healthcare provider.
- Rest and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.
- Practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and cleaning shared surfaces.
Contributing: USA TODAY
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana.