KEY TAKEAWAYS: Cicada (BA.3.2), a highly mutated COVID-19 variant, resurfaces in the U.S. Detected in 132 wastewater samples across 25 states, according to CDC reports. Symptoms similar to other COVID variants: headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough. Vaccines still protect against severe diseas e; CDC advises masks, isolation, and hygiene.   A COVID-19 variant that was first detected in 2024 has reemerged, and public health officials are monitoring it as wastewater tests show it spreading across the U.S., according to reporting in USA TODAY and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BA.3.2 — nicknamed “Cicada” after the rarely emerging insects — is a highly mutated COVID-19 variant that largely remained undetected since it was first detected in South Africa in November 2024. Since then, it was detected again in Mozambique, the Netherlands and Germany before a larger rise in September 2025, according to a March 19 report from the CDC. It was first detected in the U.S. via the CDC’s Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance program when an international traveler came to the United States from the Netherlands on June 27, 2025, according to the CDC’s March 19 report. The first case detected in a clinical patient in the U.S. was reported on Jan. 5, 2026. By January, the Cicada variant accounted for about 30% of COVID-19 sequences in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, according to the CDC. As of Feb. 11, the Cicada variant has been detected in 132 wastewater surveillance samples collected from 25 U.S. states, according to the CDC. The CDC’s February report listed the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, 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. What are symptoms of the Cicada COVID-19 variant? Symptoms of Cicada are largely similar to those of other COVID-19 infections. They may include: Runny or stuffy nose Headache Fatigue Sneezing Severe sore throat Coughing Changes to the sense of smell or taste How to protect yourself and others against this latest COVID-19 variant Highly mutated variants like Cicada may not be prevented as effectively with a COVID-19 booster shot, but the vaccine can still offer protection from severe disease and death, according to USA TODAY. Like with other variants, if you believe you may have COVID or test positive for it, the CDC suggests you: 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 health care 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. USA TODAY reporter Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Mutated ‘Cicada’ COVID variant detected in 25 states. What to know Reporting by Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan / Fort Collins Coloradoan USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less