A new COVID-19 variant known as Cicada is rapidly spreading in the United States, raising concerns among health experts about its ability to evade certain vaccines. Dubbed “Cicada” due to its prolonged dormancy and noisy resurgence, this variant is driving an uptick in global cases, with initial data indicating its heightened transmissibility, prompting authorities to be on high alert.
Officially designated as BA.3.2, Cicada is a derivative of the Omicron subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Initially identified in South Africa in November 2024, it gained wider circulation from September 2025 onwards. Presently, it has been detected in 23 countries, comprising up to 30% of infections in parts of Europe, as per a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).
Virologist Andrew Pekosz noted the variant’s numerous mutations that could alter its recognition by the immune system. Dr. Marc Siegel of NYU Langone Health expressed concerns over the potential public health threat posed by Cicada, cautioning that its impact on a broader community scale is still uncertain.
In the U.S., the variant was first identified in a traveler passing through San Francisco International Airport from the Netherlands in June 2025, though it wasn’t confirmed in a clinical sample from a U.S. patient until January 2026. As of February 11, Cicada had been found in four U.S. travelers, five patients, and in samples from airlines and wastewater across 25 states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, according to the CDCP.
Dr. Robery H. Hopkins Jr., the medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, speculated that Cicada might drive a summer surge in COVID cases and potentially become the predominant strain in the U.S., although this outcome is not definitive.
Despite its emergence, the Cicada variant appears to induce similar symptoms to previous strains, with no current evidence suggesting it leads to more severe illness, as reported by the NY Post. Epidemiologist Dr. Syra Madad highlighted the ongoing uncertainty regarding the variant’s impact on illness severity at a population level.
Common symptoms associated with Cicada, akin to typical COVID-19 cases, include cough, fever, sore throat, congestion, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal problems, as reported by Today. Symptoms can vary in severity and may resolve with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications. Notably, the variant can also cause asymptomatic infections, allowing individuals to spread the virus without feeling sick.
For individuals suspecting a COVID-19 infection, the CDCP advises self-isolation, avoidance of close contact with others, and wearing a high-quality mask when in proximity to individuals. It recommends focusing on recovery through rest, hydration, and managing symptoms with over-the-counter medications. Seeking emergency care is advised if severe symptoms like breathing difficulties, chest pain, confusion, or bluish skin or lips arise.
In 2025 alone, COVID-19 contributed to an estimated 290,000 to 450,000 hospitalizations and 34,000 to 53,000 deaths in the U.S., per the CDCP. Despite the potential immune evasion attributed to its spike protein mutations, experts stress that current vaccines still offer protection, particularly against severe illness.
Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre, director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute at Mt. Sinai, highlighted the likelihood of existing vaccines retaining some level of effectiveness against the Cicada variant, even though the exact extent remains unclear.
