MIAMI — The COVID variant BA.3.2, better known as “Cicada,” has been spreading in Florida, and researchers believe that it is better at infecting children than adults.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wastewater surveillance has been tracking the mutated Omicron variant descendant, which has the potential to evade immunity from vaccination.

Related link: The CDC report

In December, the World Health Organization announced monitoring BA.3.2, a variant that has been detected in the U.S. and more than 20 other countries.

According to the CDC, there were an estimated 110,000 to 210,000 related hospitalizations and 12,000 to 37,000 related deaths from Oct. 1, 2025, to March 21.

Related link: Mount Sinai-Vienna study

Strategies to avoid the respiratory virus include washing your hands frequently, wearing a mask in crowds, and avoiding people who are showing symptoms such as cough, fever, or body aches.

The treatment options continue to include antiviral medicine, over-the-counter medicine for fever or body aches, and isolation.

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Wastewater surveillance detects ‘Cicada’ COVID variant BA.3.2 in Florida

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Andrea Torres