Health officials are issuing urgent warnings about a new Covid-19 variant, known as the 'Cicada' or BA.3.2 lineage, which is rapidly spreading and expected to become the dominant strain in the United Kingdom. Scientists highlight that this variant appears to transmit faster than previous ones, with emerging data indicating it could disproportionately impact children, raising significant public health concerns.
Monitoring Symptoms and Spread
Authorities in the United States, where the variant has been detected in at least 29 states, are closely tracking symptoms as they assess the threat. The BA.3.2 variant possesses approximately 75 mutations, which may help it evade existing immunity from prior infections or vaccinations. While Covid symptoms have evolved since the early pandemic days, loss of taste and smell is less common now, though it can still occur. Recent reports indicate an increase in gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea among those infected.
Expert Insights and Research
Professor Ravi Gupta, a microbiologist from Cambridge University who advised the UK government during the pandemic, emphasized that while studies suggest Cicada is not more likely to cause severe disease than earlier variants, it can still lead to an unpleasant illness. He noted that the variant has been found in the UK and is increasing in prevalence, with expectations it will become the dominant strain. BA.3.2 is currently undergoing testing to understand its immune evasion capabilities and the immunity levels in the population.
Prof Gupta explained that the Cicada variant is a descendant of the Omicron strain that emerged in 2021. It was first detected in South Africa in 2024 before seemingly disappearing. He theorizes that it developed numerous mutations by incubating in a single patient with a compromised immune system, such as someone with HIV or on anti-cancer drugs, for over a year, allowing it to evade immune responses.
Vulnerable Groups and Vaccination
Children may be particularly susceptible to catching the Cicada variant, possibly due to lower exposure to Covid vaccines. Prof Gupta stated that analysis suggests it might be more prevalent among young children, though they frequently contract infections. The elderly and immunosuppressed individuals remain especially vulnerable to severe outcomes from Covid-19.
Experts assert that while current vaccines may be less effective against Cicada, vaccination still provides significant protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively monitoring the variant and updating its symptom list, which includes:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Global and National Surveillance
After a period of dormancy, the Cicada variant has been detected in 23 countries and is spreading across the USA, where wastewater monitoring in 29 states has confirmed its presence. In the UK, health officials are intensifying surveillance to track its spread and impact, particularly among paediatric populations. The variant does not appear to cause new or unusual symptoms compared to other Omicron variants, but its rapid transmission rate is a key concern.
Prof Gupta, who was part of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), warned that the fast-spreading nature of Cicada means it could eventually reach vulnerable individuals, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance and public health measures. As research progresses, scientists aim to clarify why children might be at higher risk and how to mitigate potential outbreaks in schools and communities.
