A new COVID-19 variant 'cicada' is spreading. Is it in Oklahoma?

A new COVID-19 variant is catching health officials' attention across the country.

The variant BA.3.2, most known as Cicada, is steadily rising in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The "highly-mutated" variant had been reported in 23 countries as of February, and was detected in nasal swabs from four travelers, three airplane wastewater samples, clinical samples from five patients, and 132 wastewater samples from 25 U.S. states, the CDC said.

There haven't been confirmed cases in Oklahoma as of Friday, March 27, and the variant has yet to account for a significant number of cases in the United States.

Here's what to know about the new variant.

Why is it called 'Cicada'?

The virus was first identified in a passenger traveling to the United States in June 2025, and has since then remained mostly underground, resembling the insect that remains hidden underground for years before emerging, according to Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

The first case in a U.S. patient was diagnosed in January, and between then and Feb. 11, it was detected in wastewater samples − collected from water sources such as sewage, industrial waste, and stormwater runoff to measure pathogens' presence − from 132 sites across at least 25 states, according to the CDC. The variant was also present in samples from travelers' voluntary nose swabs.

Is BA.3.2 'Cicada' in Oklahoma? Where the variant spreading?

The CDC has not reported a case of 'Cicada' in Oklahoma.

The variant is present in at least 23 countries, including 25 American states, per the CDC: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming.

More recent data from WasteWaterSCAN, a Stanford University-led tool for tracking the spread of disease, found BA.3.2 was detected in only 3.7% of wastewater samples as of March 14. Variant XFG remains the dominant strain at 53% of samples, followed by LF.7 with 10.3%.

"The number of mutations from JN.1 viruses makes it less likely that the current vaccines will be highly effective against Cicada, but we need more data to better answer this question," Hopkins said. "It is possible we will see Cicada become the dominant strain in the US, but that is by no means certain. I have heard some concern raised about the possibility that it could drive a US summer surge."

What are the symptoms of Cicada?

Like in the case of most other variants, the symptoms of Cicada are the same as those of other COVID-19 infections. As a result, the CDC said indicators to look out for remain the same as with existing variants. Some symptoms may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Coughing

• Changes to the sense of smell or taste

Some later variants have been associated with "razorblade throat" based on increased reports of throat pain.

"I have not seen any data which indicates that Cicada is any more severe than other circulating variants," said Hopkins. "Severe sore throat is reported as a common symptom along with other typical COVID symptoms."

What to do if you test positive

While mutations could mean existing COVID-19 boosters may not prevent infection as effectively, they can still offer protection against severe disease and death, especially as vaccine formulations catch up .

"When sick, get tested. If positive, stay home until better and confirm with a negative test. If that's not possible, wear a fit N95 mask," Rajendram Rajnarayanan,assistant dean of research and associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, previously told USA TODAY . "Get Boosted as soon as it's available. It works against all of the top circulating lineages, including XBB.1.16, EG.5.1, FL.1.5.1, etc."

If you believe you may have COVID or test positive, the CDC suggests several ways to treat the symptoms and stop the spread.

• Stay home and separate from others.

• Improve ventilation in your home.

• Wear an N95 or other high-quality mask when around other people.

• Keep up to date on COVID vaccines and boosters.

• Monitor symptoms and stay in touch with your healthcare provider.

• Take medications and treatments as prescribed.

• Rest and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms like headaches.

• Practice hygiene such as washing hands often and cleaning shared surfaces.

• Use their testing and treatment location tool to find resources in your area.

Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New COVID-19 variant 'cicada' is spreading. What to know in Oklahoma