(SeaPRwire) –   It is no longer surprising that the COVID virus continues to evolve, with new strains frequently emerging. The most recent variant is making an unexpected return after its initial appearance in 2024.

Here is what you need to know about the reappearance of the COVID variant known as Cicada.

Why is the new COVID variant named Cicada?

BA.3.2, which has been nicknamed Cicada, first began infecting individuals in South Africa in late 2024, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was temporarily superseded by other variants but has since reemerged, causing infections in the U.S. approximately a year later. This pattern of dormancy and resurgence is reminiscent of a cicada’s life cycle. While Cicada is not yet responsible for a significant number of new infections in the U.S., it has accounted for about 30% of COVID infections in Europe in recent months.

How does Cicada differ from previous COVID strains?

Scientists report that Cicada possesses 70 to 75 new mutations in its spike protein, the part of the virus that the human immune system identifies and targets. This is a higher number of mutations compared to the more prevalent variants that circulated in 2023. On a more positive note, Cicada remains part of the Omicron family of viruses, which first emerged in 2021 (also in South Africa). This suggests it may retain some genetic similarities to recent variants.

How widespread is Cicada?

To date, Cicada has caused infections in over two dozen U.S. states. However, the accuracy and precision of information regarding COVID infections and their specific strains have diminished. With more individuals utilizing at-home testing and less frequent mandatory reporting of COVID cases by healthcare providers and public health officials, the data is less comprehensive than it once was.

Does the COVID vaccine offer protection against Cicada?

As Cicada is a member of the Omicron family of COVID viruses, updated vaccines designed to target Omicron’s dominant strains, such as JN.1, are still effective in combating BA.3.2. Nevertheless, their protective capacity may be reduced due to the virus’s genetic changes. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and former board member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, states, “Does the current vaccine provide some protection? Lab data would indicate yes, but not as much.” He adds, “It would appear that all the protections we have from our experience with the virus and with vaccines probably offer more limited—not zero—but more limited protection against this strain.” This assessment is based on laboratory studies, which the CDC indicates showed Cicada’s ability to evade some vaccine-induced immunity.

Schaffner also notes that recent uncertainty surrounding changes in federal recommendations for annual COVID shots has contributed to a decline in overall COVID vaccination rates. This includes individuals most vulnerable to severe illness and hospitalization, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. According to the CDC, COVID hospitalizations reached their peak at the end of December and early January, particularly affecting individuals aged 75 and older.

“If we look at the patients who continue to be admitted to the hospital with COVID, they are members of the high-risk groups, but they also have one other characteristic almost universally in common—and that is they are not up to date on their vaccines,” Schaffner observes.

The CDC advises that high-risk individuals should receive a COVID vaccine not only in the fall but also before the summer season, as COVID appears to have two annual peaks, unlike influenza. The vaccine’s primary purpose is not to prevent infection but to potentially shield recipients from developing severe disease that requires hospitalization. “The function of the vaccine is to keep us out of the hospital,” Schaffner explains. “It’s not very good at preventing milder disease; it works best by averting severe disease.” The observation that many hospitalized COVID patients are not up-to-date on their vaccinations suggests that the vaccine, even if not specifically targeting Cicada, can still offer some level of protection.

What are the symptoms of the new COVID variant?

The symptoms associated with this new COVID variant are consistent with those of previous strains: a sore throat, fever or chills, headache, cough, body aches, and a runny nose. These symptoms are similar to those of the flu, making testing the most reliable method for confirming a COVID diagnosis. Most symptoms typically resolve within a few days to a week.

Do COVID tests still detect Cicada?

Schaffner indicates that this remains somewhat uncertain, as definitive data is not yet available. However, some experts believe that because these tests target less mutable parts of the virus, they should still be capable of detecting Cicada.

Does Cicada cause more severe illness than previous variants?

It is not yet clear whether Cicada’s mutations lead to more severe COVID disease compared to earlier variants, or if it will become a dominant strain by effectively evading the human immune system. Further study of additional cases will be necessary for doctors to determine this definitively.