The new ‘shape’ of the Covid virus could confuse your immune system
Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
06:56, 30 Mar 2026Updated 12:15, 31 Mar 2026
It could rapidly become the dominant strain
A covid variant with 75 mutations in its structure that was first detected in one sample in 2024 has suddenly ‘awoken’ and started spreading around the world – now being found in 23 countries. The variant’s ability to stay ‘underground’ for so long before bursting into action has earned it the nickname cicada – after the insect which lies dormant for years.
The UK Health Security Agency is monitoring the spread of the strain, officially designated BA.3.2. It is a descendant of the older Omicron lineage and is considered a “hyper-mutated” variant, carrying 70–75 mutations in its spike protein.
The number of mutations is is significantly more than previous dominant strains, leading scientists to classify it as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM). It is a descendant of the BA.3 subvariant, which was part of the original Omicron wave in 2022 but largely disappeared until this new version evolved.
It was first identified in a respiratory sample in South Africa in November 2024, remained at very low levels throughout most of 2025 but began to spread more efficiently in September 2025. It has now been detected in at least 23 countries and is currently most active in parts of Northern Europe — specifically Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands — where it has accounted for up to 30% of sequenced cases
The Cicada variant (BA.3.2) has been confirmed in the United Kingdom. While it is not yet the dominant strain in the UK (where variants like XFG and ‘Nimbus’ have been more common recently, health agencies like the UKHSA are monitoring it due to its potential to bypass immunity from older vaccines and past infections
For most people, the symptoms remain consistent with other Omicron-era variants. However, there are a few notable trends. A particularly severe or “razorblade” sore throat has been frequently reported alongside fever, chills, cough, fatigue, and nasal congestion.
Some reports indicate a slightly higher prevalence of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea compared to other recent strains. So far, there is no evidence that Cicada causes more severe disease or higher rates of hospitalisation than previous variants.
Virologist Andrew Pekosz said: “It has a lot of mutations that may cause it to look different to your immune system.” Dr Marc Siegel, a doctor at health firm NYU Langone, said: “There is concern that it could represent a significant public health risk, but since the prevalence is still so low, it is too soon to predict this on a community-wide basis.”