A new COVID-19 variant, BA.3.2, has been identified as "Cicada" by health officials in the U.S. and other countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking this variant after routine surveillance noted a steady increase in cases in the United States. The variant has been reported in over 20 countries and accounts for up to 30% of cases in some of them. It was first detected in a person traveling to the US in June 2025 and has largely remained undetected or underground since its discovery. The first case worldwide was detected in South Africa in November 2024. The CDC has warned that the current vaccines may not be effective against this strain.