BA.3.2 'Cicada' Variant Found to Disproportionately Infect Children

Scientists report that the highly mutated BA.3.2 SARS-CoV-2 variant — dubbed 'Cicada' for its large number of spike protein mutations (70–75) — disproportionately infects children aged 3–15, who are approximately 5 times more likely to contract it compared to other age groups. The variant is circulating in at least 33 countries, with the highest concentrations in Australia, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. While severity appears similar to previous Omicron subvariants, the pediatric skew is prompting monitoring by health authorities. Symptoms include sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues.