Claims circulating online about a new COVID-19 strain called the "Cicada variant" or BA.3.2 are not supported by current public health data. Searches of databases from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal no variant with the designation BA.3.2 as of early April 2026.
The WHO's latest update on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern does not list a BA.3.2 lineage. The dominant circulating variants continue to be descendants of the Omicron lineage, such as JN.1 and its sublineages. The claim that this unverified variant poses a five times higher infection risk to children appears to be fabricated and is not cited by any reputable health authority.
Health experts consistently advise that the best protection against severe COVID-19, including from emerging variants, remains vaccination, good ventilation, and staying home when sick. The public is encouraged to rely on official sources like the WHO and national health agencies for accurate information on virus transmission and risks.
