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What to know about new 'Cicada' COVID variant detected in 25 states
BA.3.2 variant detected in 25 states with a U.S. prevalence of 0.55% raises concerns about potential immune evasion despite current vaccines protecting against severe illness.
- The CDC reported 132 positive wastewater surveillance samples of the new COVID variant nicknamed Cicada across 25 states as of mid-February. Public health professionals are monitoring the strain closely.
- Officials named the strain Cicada because it is an offshoot of a variant that remained dormant for nearly four years. The virus was first detected in South Africa in November 2024.
- Data from the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary shows the variant comprises 30% of infections in European countries, while it accounts for 0.55% of cases in the States according to the CDC.
- Marc Kahn, medical director at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, warned experts worry the strain may evade vaccine protections. "We're worried that it can," Kahn said.
- Sore throat remains the most common symptom, and Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, noted there is no current data suggesting the variant causes more severe illness.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution84% Center
Bias Distribution
- 84% of the sources are Center
84% Center
C 84%
11%
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