🔍 What is the “Cicada” variant?
The “Cicada” variant (scientific name: BA.3.2) is a subvariant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19.
It was first detected in South Africa in late 2024 and later began spreading globally.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled it a “Variant Under Monitoring”, meaning it is being closely watched but is not currently considered highly dangerous.
🌍 Where is it spreading?
The variant has now been detected in at least 23 countries worldwide.
It has appeared in multiple U.S. states and parts of Europe, sometimes making up a significant share of cases in certain regions.
However, it is not yet the dominant global strain.
👶 Why are children being affected more?
Early research suggests the variant may infect children (especially ages 3–15) more efficiently than earlier variants.
Some analyses indicate children could be several times more likely to get infected compared to other variants.
Experts are still studying why this age group is more affected, and no final conclusion has been reached yet.
🤒 Symptoms observed so far
Symptoms are similar to previous Omicron variants, including:
Cough
Fever
Fatigue
Body aches
Sore throat (often reported as severe)
Nasal congestion or runny nose
👉 Overall, there are no major new or unusual symptoms identified so far.
⚠️ Severity and risk level
Current data shows no evidence that Cicada causes more severe illness than earlier variants.
Most cases are reported as mild to moderate.
WHO and experts say it poses a “low additional public health risk” at present.
🧬 Why scientists are concerned
The variant has 70–75 mutations in the spike protein, which is unusually high.
These mutations may:
Help it spread easily
Increase chances of reinfection
Potentially reduce vaccine effectiveness (still under study)
💉 Do vaccines still work?
Vaccines are still expected to protect against severe illness and hospitalization.
Antiviral treatments also remain effective so far.
🇮🇳 Should India be worried?
Experts currently say there is no immediate major threat to India.
However, they advise:
Staying alert
Following basic precautions
Keeping vaccinations up to date
🧾 Bottom Line
The Cicada variant is spreading globally and may affect children more than adults.
But it is not more severe than previous variants so far.
Health authorities recommend caution, not panic, while more data is collected.