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<\/p>\nThe latest Covid variant is sweeping the UK and the world, boasting a highly mutated genetic composition that could see the strain resistant to prior vaccinations or infections<\/p>\n
02:34, 01 Apr 2026Updated 04:08, 01 Apr 2026<\/p>\n
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Illustration of a variant of the coronavirus(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A new Covid-19 strain named after an insect known for lying dormant for years is set to become the dominant variant in the UK, with experts scrambling to collect enough data to determine just how dangerous and contagious Cicada<\/a> actually is.<\/p>\n The new variant stems from the Omicron virus<\/a> and it has already been detected on British shores, health officials have previously confirmed. The BA.3.2 variant, dubbed the ‘Cicada’ variant<\/a>, is currently being monitored, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).<\/p>\n Cicada so far appears to be better at evading the body\u2019s immune defences as it has around 75 genetic mutations<\/a> in its spike protein, the part of the virus<\/a> that helps it get into cells. Scientists say cicada spreads faster than other variants and one of the country\u2019s top microbiologists has told of emerging evidence that it could spread most in children who have no Covid immunity – which could drive a new wave.<\/p>\n As per doctor and healthcare strategy executive Dr Sai Balasubramanian says that – once again – it is time to mask up to avoid transmission.<\/p>\n A positive and negative Covid-19 home test<\/p>\n “Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission, avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection\u2019s spread,” he wrote, as per Forbes.<\/p>\n “Individuals who are immunocompromised or are in particularly vulnerable health states (e.g., have chronic health issues, are being treated with immunosuppressing medications, have severe metabolic syndrome, etc) should also pay special attention as they may be more susceptible to viral transmission and more devastating impacts from the virus than others.”<\/p>\n Dr Balasubramanian added: “As of last month, infections by the new variant were detected across nearly 23 countries and have continued to spread due to travel and global cross-contamination.”<\/p>\n Prof Ravi Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic<\/a>, said: \u201cThis is different from the (Covid-19) viruses we have been dealing with for the last two years.”<\/p>\n Prof Gupta was leading part of the research group which reported the first evidence for immune escape for Covid-19 during the pandemic. He was part of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group<\/a> (NERVTAG).<\/p>\n Prof Gupta said: \u201cIt has been found in the UK, has been increasing in prevalence and I would expect it to become the dominant strain. BA.3.2 is undergoing testing right now. We have been looking at it in terms of immune evasion and the immunity that we\u2019ve all got.\u201d<\/p>\n It is once again time to ‘mask up’ in public(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n The Cicada variant is a descendant of the Omicron<\/a> variant that emerged in 2021 and was first detected in South Africa in 2024 before seeming to disappear. Prof Gupta believes that it was able to develop so many mutations to avoid immunity by being incubated in a single patient for over a year. This ‘patient zero’ would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system, such as can occur when the patient also has HIV or is taking anti-cancer drugs.<\/p>\n Now after a period of going dormant, Cicada has been detected in the wastewater systems of 29 states in the US. The latest global data is correct as of February and the strain may have spread more widely since then.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1_GettyImages-2249621855-1.jpg\")
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