A COVID variant called "Cicada" is spreading. Here's what to know.
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
A COVID variant called 'Cicada' has spread to at least 23 countries and roughly half of U.S. states.
How This Affects You
You may contract the Cicada variant even if previously infected or vaccinated, though current vaccines and treatments remain effective against severe disease.
AI Summary
The COVID-19 variant BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada," has been detected in at least 23 countries and roughly half of U.S. states, signaling a new wave of viral spread. Cicada is the latest in a succession of omicron subvariants that have circulated since 2022, each with varying degrees of transmissibility and immune evasion. The variant's rapid geographic spread across multiple continents suggests it may have enhanced contagiousness or ability to reinfect people who had prior COVID exposure. Health officials are monitoring the variant's characteristics to determine whether it poses a significant public health threat or represents typical seasonal COVID circulation. Current available vaccines and treatments remain effective against severe disease, though breakthrough infections are possible with any circulating variant.
What's Being Done
Health officials are monitoring the variant's transmissibility and immune evasion characteristics to assess public health threat level.
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