Resources with keywords: cicada
Rubin R
By Feb. 2026, the cicada variant has been been identified in at least 23 countries.
Shakya M, Ma KC, Hughes LJ, et al.
In the United States, BA.3.2 (“cicada variant”) was detected in nasal swabs from four travelers, three airplane wastewater samples, clinical samples from five patients, and 132 wastewater samples from 25 U.S. states.
GVN assessment (3 Apr 2026) concludes BA.3.2 shows antibody escape but no evidence of increased severity or aerosol-generating transmissibility beyond known Omicron characteristics. Standard clinical laboratory biosafety (BSL-2) remains appropriate for routine SARS-CoV-2 specimen processing. Facilities should continue wastewater surveillance as an early-warning tool for variant emergence that could affect HCW exposure levels.
