ThePrint ThePrintPOD: New Covid variant ‘Cicada’ in 23 countries. Should you be worried & what’s behind the name
Apr 2, 2026
Discussion of the BA.3.2 'Cicada' variant and where it has been detected globally. Explanation of its spike mutations and how it compares to the strain used in 2025-26 vaccines. Review of lab findings on reduced antibody neutralization and how mRNA vaccines trigger immune responses. Exploration of why the variant earned the 'cicada' label and what its hidden evolution implies for transmissibility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
BA.3.2 Cicada Is Highly Divergent But Widespread
- BA.3.2 (Cicada) is a highly divergent Omicron offshoot detected in 23 countries and 132 US wastewater samples.
- It has 7–75 spike mutations versus the Lp8.1 vaccine strain and shows reduced antibody neutralization in lab tests.
2025–26 Vaccine Shows Weaker Lab Neutralization Against Cicada
- Laboratory data show the 2025–26 Lp8.1-adapted mRNA vaccine neutralizes dominant JN1 well but has the lowest neutralization against BA.3.2 among seven variants.
- CDC cautions this may reduce protection against infection though observational data are still needed.
Cicada May Evade Immunity But Not Increase Severity
- Despite partial immune evasion, there is no current evidence BA.3.2 causes more severe disease than earlier variants.
- Reported symptoms follow recent Omicron trends: fever, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, headache, and occasional cough.