Mint Explainer: Should you be concerned about the new covid variant?

Mint explains what we know so far about the new variant, and how concerned you should be.The latest variant is a part of the Omicron strain that swept across the globe in late 2021. It was first detected in 2024 in South Africa but had remained dormant until now, causing it to be dubbed ‘cicada’ (after the insect that remains underground for long periods before suddenly emerging).It has an unusually large number of mutations in its spike protein compared to LP.8.1, the strain used as the basis for the 2025-26 vaccines.

Spike mutations are watched closely because they influence how transmissible a virus is and how well it can evade immunity from prior infections or vaccination.The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has classified BA.3.2 as a “highly divergent” variant, meaning it has gone through a large number of genetic changes from earlier strains. However, the subvariant is still being assessed.According to the CDC, the subvariant had been reported in 23 countries as of 11 February.

Reports of increased detection started emerging last week, and it has since been found in 29 US states and Puerto Rico, parts of Europe, and in travellers entering the US from Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, and the UK.The symptoms are similar to those of recent Omicron subvariants, according to reports, with patients reporting fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, runny nose and cough.The World Health Organization’s vaccine composition group has flagged the variant for discussion at its meeting in May, classifying it as a “variant under monitoring” but not yet a “variant of concern” or even a “variant of interest". Public health groups have called for serious attention to the variant, while also cautioning against panic.According to the