The “Cicada” SARS-CoV-2 variant has been identified in 25 states as of mid-February, though federal experts say the true extent of its spread is likely broader.
The BA.3.2 variant first emerged in South Africa in late 2024. As of Feb. 11, it has appeared in 132 wastewater samples from across the U.S., CDC data shows.
The data comes from two surveillance systems: CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, which monitors approximately 1,300 U.S. sites, and WastewaterSCAN, a partnership among Stanford University, Emory University and Verily that monitors 150 sites.
Becker’s compiled total sample counts from both surveillance systems to provide a glimpse at where BA.3.2 has been detected in the U.S. The sample counts reflect cumulative positive detections over time, not a single moment in time. States with higher counts don’t necessarily have more disease, the CDC noted. Instead, they may simply have more monitoring sites.
CDC researchers also said that fewer clinical sequencing submissions since 2023 have made genomic surveillance less sensitive overall, meaning BA.3.2 is likely more widespread than these numbers reflect.
BA.3.2 positive wastewater samples by state, as of Feb. 11:
California — 5 positive samples
Connecticut — 6
Florida — 2
Hawaii — 2
Idaho — 1
Illinois — 1
Louisiana — 1
Maine — 20
Maryland — 6
Massachusetts — 14
Michigan — 1
Missouri — 1
Nevada — 1
New Hampshire — 17
New Jersey — 3
New York — 7
Ohio — 4
Pennsylvania — 4
Rhode Island — 27
South Carolina — 1
Texas — 1
Utah — 3
Vermont — 1
Virginia — 1
Wyoming — 2
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