New Covid-19 variant BA.3.2 monitored globally

A new Covid-19 variant, designated BA.3.2 and nicknamed Cicada, is currently being tracked by international health authorities across more than twenty countries, including Greece and the United States. First detected in South Africa in November 2024, the variant remained at low levels before experiencing a resurgence in late 2025. The moniker Cicada reflects the pattern of the virus, which remained dormant or low-level for an extended period before rapidly spreading. The World Health Organization has officially added the strain to its list of variants under monitoring. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of BA.3.2 are showing a gradual increase within the country. Data indicates that in certain regions, the variant accounts for up to 30% of total infections. Despite this prevalence, it has not yet become the dominant strain, and current evidence does not suggest a clear transmission advantage over existing variants.