WHO is tracking the new COVID-19 strain “Cicada”: what is known about the risks

The World Health Organization has begun monitoring a new variant of the coronavirus, BA.3.2, which has been unofficially named “Cicada.” According to the BBC, the strain has already been detected in at least 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Mozambique.

The new variant has been categorized as “under surveillance,” which means it needs increased surveillance. Experts are currently assessing whether it could pose a significant threat to public health.

Scientists are paying particular attention to the possible increased vulnerability of children. According to preliminary data, in particular based on observations in New York, the likelihood of infection with this variant in children may be higher than in adults. At the same time, these conclusions are not yet final and require additional research.

Experts explain this by the fact that children’s immune systems may be less able to recognize new variants of the virus, and the strain itself may have mutations that allow it to bypass immune defenses. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention characterizes BA.3.2 as “highly divergent,” meaning it is significantly different from previous variants.

Despite this, symptoms remain typical of COVID-19 — fever, cough, sore throat, and general weakness. No signs of a more severe course of the disease have been recorded so far.

The WHO emphasizes that the risk to global health is currently assessed as low. At the same time, risk groups — the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and weakened immunity — require increased attention.

Experts also emphasize that despite the mutations, existing vaccines continue to provide some level of protection against the new variant.