A new flu, called Cicada, is sweeping the streets of the United States. Here’s what you need to know!
News has broken out that a new variant of COVID-19 has emerged. The medical term for it is SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2; however, it’s commonly known as Cicada. It’s a new disease adapted from the deadly viruses that killed tens of thousands globally between late 2019 and 2022.
In February this year, the United States (US) Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially declared that the new virus had been detected in various health tests.
“BA.3.2 was detected in nasal swabs from four travellers, three aeroplane wastewater samples, clinical samples from five patients and 132 wastewater samples from 25 U.S. states,” CDC reported.
Since then, the USCDC has said that:
“Monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 provides valuable information about the potential for this new SARS-CoV-2 lineage to evade immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.” Otherwise, confirming that an investigation needs to be taken, for sufficient action to be made to combat the likelihood of the virus spreading further.
What actually is Cicada?
Lead Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U, Ian Budd, exclusively tells Cosmopolitan UK about its official definition.
“Cicada, or BA.3.2, is part of the Omicron family. It’s named the Cicada strain because it is a variant of BA.3, a strain that disappeared for nearly four years, similar to how cicadas [a type of insect] lie dormant.”
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What symptoms should you look out for?
Similar to COVID-19, Cicada has been documented to leave people feeling ill with intense flu-like symptoms. This includes bursts of intense cold and hot sweats, chronic fatigue, headaches, a sore throat, and more.
“Some early reports suggest that a particularly painful sore throat might be more noticeable with this variant, but overall, it’s not presenting in a completely new way,” adds Budd.
If Cicada has broken out in the US, what does this have to do with the UK?
Although the virus has broken out in the US, it is still a cause for concern in the United Kingdom (UK). COVID-19 was officially reported in Wuhan, China, in November 2019. It took just a few months for it to spread to England, amongst several other areas.
If rapid action is not taken, the outbreak of Cicada will become a cause for concern everywhere. While the symptoms currently resemble those of the 2019 virus, there is much more for scientists and doctors to uncover about it. Additionally, since it is in the same family as COVID-19, it goes without saying that the potential harm it can cause is astronomical.
What are scientists and health practitioners doing to reduce the spread of Cicada?
CDC are currently investigating three areas of the virus. Firstly, the transmissibility, i.e. how quickly it spreads. Secondly, the immune evasion. This refers to understanding how and why the virus can bypass certain immunity. And lastly, the clinical impact. What is the official severity of the illness? What impact can it have? How deadly is it?
What to do if you’re showing signs of Cicada?
Immediately reach out to your general practitioner (GP). If you’re wary about any flu symptoms, wear a face mask when you’re in public or around large groups. Take as much rest as is feasible for you. If you’ve done all of the above and still feel unwell and unsure, double-check with your doctors that you have all the relevant flu injections you need.
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Laviea Thomas is a journalist at Inside Success who writes about film, music and politics.
Outside of that, she is an experienced freelance journalist with bylines in NME, The Quietus, Metal Hammer and more.
Over the years, Laviea has been an active panellist discussing fundamental conversations in the music industry, such as diversity and inclusion, and the importance of grassroots venues. She has been a panel guest for Kerrang! Focus Wales Festival, Future Yard and more.
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