A fresh Covid-19 strain, named after an insect famous for its long periods of dormancy, is poised to become the UK’s primary variant. Health experts are currently racing to gather data to assess the true threat level and transmissibility of the “Cicada” variant.

Confirmed by health officials to have already reached British shores, this new version of the virus—scientifically identified as BA.3.2—is a descendant of Omicron. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently keeping the variant under close surveillance.

Early findings suggest that Cicada may be particularly adept at bypassing the body’s immune system due to approximately 75 genetic mutations found in its spike protein—the component the virus uses to infiltrate human cells.

Researchers so far believe it spreads more rapidly than previous strains. Furthermore, a leading microbiologist has highlighted emerging data suggesting the variant may spread most effectively among children with no prior immunity, a factor that could potentially trigger a fresh wave of infections.

As per doctor and healthcare strategy executive Dr Sai Balasubramanian says that – once again – it is time to mask up to avoid transmission.

“Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission, avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection’s spread,” he wrote, as per Forbes.

“Individuals who are immunocompromised or are in particularly vulnerable health states (e.g., have chronic health issues, are being treated with immunosuppressing medications, have severe metabolic syndrome, etc) should also pay special attention as they may be more susceptible to viral transmission and more devastating impacts from the virus than others.”

Dr Balasubramanian added: “As of last month, infections by the new variant were detected across nearly 23 countries and have continued to spread due to travel and global cross-contamination.”

Prof Ravi Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, said: “This is different from the (Covid-19) viruses we have been dealing with for the last two years.”

Prof Gupta was leading part of the research group which reported the first evidence for immune escape for Covid-19 during the pandemic. He was part of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).

Prof Gupta said: “It has been found in the UK, has been increasing in prevalence and I would expect it to become the dominant strain. BA.3.2 is undergoing testing right now. We have been looking at it in terms of immune evasion and the immunity that we’ve all got.”

The Cicada variant is a descendant of the Omicron variant that emerged in 2021 and was first detected in South Africa in 2024 before seeming to disappear. Prof Gupta believes that it was able to develop so many mutations to avoid immunity by being incubated in a single patient for over a year. This ‘patient zero’ would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system, such as can occur when the patient also has HIV or is taking anti-cancer drugs.

Now after a period of going dormant, Cicada has been detected in the wastewater systems of 29 states in the US. The latest global data is correct as of February and the strain may have spread more widely since then.

Symptoms seem to appear similar to other recent variants, and include avsore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache and fever. But this one also has had some people also experiencing gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or diarrhoea, according to the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cicada’s mutations to the spike protein mean that our antibodies take longer to recognise it as the invading Covid-19 virus. It appears to be spreading more quickly but there is no evidence yet that it is likely to cause more severe disease. However if more people become infected, then a similar proportion of those who experience severe disease becomes a bigger total number.

Prof Gupta, of the Cambridge Immunology Network, said: “The immunocompromised and the elderly are at the biggest risk but vaccines should prevent some of the most severe complications in most people.

“We are now in March and coming out of the flu season but you can get Covid waves all year round. I saw three people last week working at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge) who had been admitted with Covid-19 so it just shows that this virus is still there and causing people to end up in hospital, especially people who are frail.”

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that from November 2025 to January 2026, weekly detections of BA.3.2 increased to make up around 30% of Covid-19 sequences reported in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, crucially, they have not yet detected an overall increase in Covid cases there compared to previous years.

Experts say that while current vaccines may be less effective against Cicada, vaccination still offers significant protection against severe disease. Latest data suggests Long Covid still occurs in about 3 in 100 cases.

The NHS website stated that people will be contacted by the health service if they are eligible for a free jab, which are usually offered in spring and early winter. Contact your GP if you are unsure.

You may be offered a Covid-19 vaccine in spring if you:

• are aged 75 or over
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

Covid-19 boosters are also available privately from High Street pharmacies for those not eligible on the NHS. The jabs can cost between £75 and £100.