News Summary
- The new Covid-19 variant BA.3.2 ‘Cicada’, part of the Omicron family, was first detected in South Africa in November 2024.
- This variant infects children aged 3 to 15 more frequently, with infections in New York found to be five times higher than other variants.
- Scientists confirm that Cicada does not cause severe illness, current vaccines offer strong protection, and a major pandemic wave is unlikely.
A newly identified and highly mutated variant of the Omicron group, BA.3.2, has emerged and has been named ‘Cicada’ by scientists.
The name was inspired by the cicada insect, known for remaining underground for long periods before resurfacing, reflecting the variant’s mysterious reappearance.
The most unusual feature of this variant is that it predominantly affects children aged 3 to 15 years rather than the elderly.
Scientists noted that the Omicron sublineage BA.3, identified in 2022, had remained hidden in an enigmatic manner.
Experts hypothesize that this virus had persisted in an individual with a compromised immune system for two years, during which extensive mutation occurred due to prolonged virus-host interaction.
First identified in November 2024 in a 5-year-old child in South Africa, BA.3.2 shows 70 mutations in the spike protein compared to the original 2019 virus, and 53 mutations relative to its parent strain.
Analysis of data from New York City shows the likelihood of children contracting BA.3.2 is five times higher than with other variants.
Authorities emphasize that this variant has not caused severe illness or hospitalizations, and current vaccines remain effective. In Germany, where it once accounted for 30% of infections, cases are now declining.
To date, the variant has been detected in wastewater samples from 23 countries worldwide and 25 U.S. states.
Scientists believe that because BA.3.2 binds less strongly to the ACE-2 receptor, it is unlikely to trigger a large-scale global wave like previous variants.
According to Dr. Tulio de Oliveira of South Africa, there is no immediate need to launch new vaccination campaigns, but it is essential to closely monitor the virus’s mutations continuously.