Just when the world thought the era of unpredictable COVID variants was behind us, a highly mutated new strain has emerged with a name that perfectly describes its eerie behavior: “Cicada.” Officially designated as BA.3.2, this variant is currently raising serious questions among virologists and public health officials as it begins to surface in dozens of countries, including at least 25 U.S. states.
The nickname “Cicada” was coined by evolutionary biologists because of the strain’s unique “hibernation” pattern. Much like the insect that spends years beneath the earth before suddenly swarming, BA.3.2 was actually first identified in South Africa back in late 2024. For nearly two years, it remained in the shadows, circulating at such low levels that it barely registered on global surveillance maps. However, in early 2026, it “emerged” with a startling surge in detections across Europe and North America.
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