BA.3.2 'Cicada' Variant Spreads to 33+ Countries; Disproportionately Affects Children

The BA.3.2 SARS-CoV-2 variant — nicknamed 'Cicada' for its 70–75 mutations in the spike protein — spreads to at least 33 countries by April 2026, with highest concentrations in Australia, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. Research shows children aged 3–15 are approximately 5 times more likely to be infected than other age groups — an unusual epidemiological pattern not seen with previous variants. Current vaccines maintain protection against severe disease, but vaccine reformulation is under consideration. The U.S. CDC tracks the variant's spread under active surveillance, with XFG.1.1 remaining the dominant U.S. strain.