Who is involved
Before the emergence of the Cicada variant, the COVID-19 landscape in the UK was characterized by a gradual decline in cases and hospitalizations, largely attributed to the effectiveness of existing vaccines against earlier strains. The public health focus was on managing the remaining cases and ensuring vaccination coverage, with expectations that the pandemic was nearing an end. However, the detection of the Cicada variant has shifted this narrative significantly.
The decisive moment came when the Cicada variant, designated BA.3.2, was first identified in South Africa in November 2024. By March 2026, it had been reported in 24 countries, including the UK. The variant carries between 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, which has raised alarms among health officials. The variant’s rapid spread, making up approximately 30% of COVID-19 sequences reported in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands from late 2025 to early 2026, indicates its potential for widespread transmission.
The direct effects of the Cicada variant on public health are still unfolding. Symptoms associated with this variant include a particularly painful sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, and nasal congestion. While there is no evidence that the Cicada variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, its ability to evade antibodies due to significant mutations poses a challenge for current vaccines. Experts have noted that the existing COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective against this variant.
Experts like Kyle B. Enfield have expressed concerns about the variant’s implications, stating, “Because it’s significantly different, the current COVID-19 vaccine may not be as effective.” Ian Budd highlighted the number of mutations, particularly on the virus’s spike protein, as a critical factor in its transmissibility. The CDC has warned that the Cicada strain “could be associated with seasonal increases in COVID-19 activity,” emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.
As of now, the UK has confirmed cases of the Cicada variant, and public health officials are monitoring the situation closely. The variant’s emergence comes at a time when the healthcare system is still recovering from the previous respiratory virus season, which saw an estimated 390,000 to 550,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 to 64,000 deaths. This context adds urgency to the response to the Cicada variant.
Despite the concerning mutations, experts have reassured the public that there is currently no sign that BA.3.2 is more dangerous than variants circulating in the winter of 2025-26. “There’s no sign so far that BA.3.2, nicknamed Cicada, is any more dangerous or causes more severe disease than the variants that were circulating in the winter of 2025-26,” stated Enfield. However, the uncertainty surrounding the long-term effectiveness of current vaccines against this variant remains a significant concern.
The Cicada variant is named after the insect that lies dormant for years before emerging, reflecting its ability to remain undetected before spreading. This metaphor underscores the challenges faced by public health officials in tracking and managing emerging variants. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact impact of the Cicada variant on public health due to limited genomic detection and surveillance capacities in many countries.
