With warmer temperatures approaching, a new COVID “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization known as BA.3.2 is circulating across the United States and other countries.
Here to sort out the latest on the new variant, including whether we should be concerned about its ability to evade immunity from previous vaccination and/or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (due to changes in its spike protein), is Sonia Navas-Martin, PhD, a professor of microbiology and immunology in Drexel’s College of Medicine. An internationally renowned expert on the response to virus infection and mechanisms of disease, including coronaviruses, Navas-Martin was elected by the American Society of Microbiology as scientific curator of the COVID-19 Research Registry (2020-2022) and is a chartered member of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumors NIH Study Section.
Navas-Martin’s laboratory focuses on immune signaling in response to virus infection in the central nervous system. While crucial for infection control, immune receptor overactivation or failure to distinguish “self” from “non-self” can lead to receptors attacking tissues leading to inflammation, chronic inflammatory diseases and sepsis. Navas-Martin’s research has identified genes within the coronavirus genome that drive disease in a mouse model, as well as immune receptors that protect against disease. These include pioneering research demonstrating the roles of the spike proteins that the virus uses to infect cells— and the replicase complex — the proteins that the virus uses to produce more copies of itself while developing disease.
First detected in 2024, the BC.3.2 coronavirus, nicknamed ‘cicada,’ has reportedly been detected in 31 states. Please talk about how strains like this can mutate to make it tougher for the immune system to combat it.
BA.3.2 is a descendant of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. BA.3.2 was first identified in South Africa in November 2024, but genetic analysis suggests it may have emerged sometime between December 2023 and July 2024, before being detected through surveillance. The term “cicada” is not a scientific designation and has no biological connection to insects (an important clarification). Also, BA.3.2’s re-emergence after a period of limited detection does not indicate a new mode of transmission or a fundamentally different type of virus.
Many of BA.3.2’s mutations are concentrated in the spike protein, which the virus uses to enter cells, and which is the main target of immune responses. There is evidence from several independent laboratories that BA.3.2 shows great immune escape compared to co-circulating variants and against recent vaccines. However, data also indicates reduced infectivity and modest replication capacity relative to co-circulating JN.1-descendent variants (JN.1 is a highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant that became globally dominant in early 2024 due to enhanced immune evasion). While immune escape may increase the likelihood of infection or re-infection, it does not imply reduced protection against severe disease. These changes are consistent with the expected evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. It is worth to note that at preset, BA.3.2 has not demonstrated a consistent growth advantage or widespread replacement of other variants in circulation. Continued genomic surveillance is needed to track SARS-CoV-2’s evolution and determine its potential effect on public health.
Is there any sign that its spread is expected to slow down? Is there a need for worry?
The WHO and CDC classify BA.3.2. as a “variant under monitoring” (VUM) or similar, but not as a “variant of concern.” While it is spreading in 25+ U.S. states and several countries, it has not yet become a dominant strain as of early April 2026. Based on current evidence, BA.3.2 does not appear to pose additional public health risks beyond those associated with other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages. However, its pronounced immune-escape profile warrants continued virological and epidemiological monitoring.
What are some symptoms that people should look out for to see if they have been infected? Is it easy to differentiate between COVID-19, the flu, colds, etc., or is getting tested really the best way?
There is currently no evidence that BA.3.2 causes different symptoms to other Omicron subvariants. For the public, there is no easy way to differentiate between colds, flu, COVID-19, etc. If someone is feeling common cold symptoms, and wants to rule out COVID-19, an at-home rapid COVID-19 test will be informative for a positive/negative result. In addition, if you are symptomatic, but the test is negative, always retest after 48 hours to ensure accuracy. I would emphasize that people should check the FDA’s list of authorized tests and their extended expiration dates to ensure your test is still valid.
At-home rapid COVID-19 tests target parts of the virus that are known to stay stable even as the virus mutates. A caveat is that these at-home tests are not designed to identify SARS-CoV-2 genetic variability and therefore, do not inform on SARS variants. In other words, a positive at-home COVID-19 test will not tell you if you are infected with BA.3.2 or any other circulating variant. More sophisticated molecular tests such as PCR and sequencing of the viral genome are required to demonstrate specific variant infection, including BA.3.2.
Do you get the sense that vaccines, ventilation, hand washing, masking, etc. are still worthwhile, particularly for those who have symptoms or may be at risk of more severe disease?
Current evidence does not indicate cause for heightened public concern. At present, there are no published clinical or epidemiological studies indicating that BA.3.2 is associated with increased disease severity compared with other circulating descendants. Individuals should continue to follow established public health guidance by CDC and WHO: stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, practice good hygiene and respiratory precautions when appropriate and seek testing and medical advice if experiencing symptoms. For individuals at risk of more severe disease, and particularly, if they haven’t been vaccinated or infected with COVID in the last six to 12 months, it may be worth talking to their doctor about whether a booster is right for them.
It is extremely important for the scientific community to explain to the public that vaccination remains the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Even though laboratory studies suggest BA.3.2 can partially evade antibodies generated by vaccination or past infection, vaccines are still expected to provide protection against severe illness. Decisions and annual updates on COVID-19 vaccines composition are informed based on SARS-CoV-2 variants data. WHO and its Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) play a key role in the annual updates on vaccine composition.
Anything else I should have asked or you would like to add?
Perhaps, just a note on current treatments / antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2. There is no evidence suggesting reduced effectiveness of antivirals (e.g. Remdesivir and Nirmatrelvir).
Reporters interested in talking with Navas-Martin should contact Greg Richter, an assistant director of media relations, at 215-895-2614 or gdr33@drexel.edu.
