<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A new strain of</span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/coronavirus" rel="" target="" title=" COVID-19"><span> COVID-19</span></a><span> is spreading across the US, Europe and is now spiking here in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But experts say there are no signs the variant BA.3.2, otherwise known as "Cicada", poses a bigger health threat than other variations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was first identified in South Africa a few years ago but it's now spreading rapidly in parts of Europe, the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="" title="US "><span>US </span></a><span>and is gaining traction across the country.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/wifes-heartbreaking-plea-after-father-mowed-down-in-random-hitandrun/e68f1fad-9319-4c7a-b5f4-a5b935f12de5"><strong><span>Heartbroken wife speaks out after Melbourne father-of-four mowed down</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="New South Wales "><span>New South Wales </span></a><span>is leading the country in the number of Cicada cases with 10,247, followed by Queensland with 6378 and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria "><span>Victoria </span></a><span>has 3635.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>South Australia has 1932 cases according to the latest figures, while WA's recorded 773, ACT 225, Tasmania 263 and the Northern Territory has 128.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Genome sequencing shows the Cicada strain creeping up in recent weeks but experts, like World Health Organisation's Professor Patrick Reading, say there's no cause for alarm.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/health/covid-new-variant-cicada-spiking-in-australia/48ca7f2f-e673-4802-8401-8e05ef0bdab6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was detected in Western Australia in 2025 and more recently its been in other states," he told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-4-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/d8326628-ad7f-4e35-b570-e1e468179734"><strong><span>Trump loses support of key European ally</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is no evidence that there is increased severity, hospitalisations, or death associated with this subvariant."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The strain is a descendant of Omicron and carries between 70 and 75 genetic changes in its spike protein compared to its predecessors, helping the virus get into cells and evade the immune system.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It may be possible that the current vaccine we use may not do such a good job against this variant as it does against other circulating variants," Reading said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's important to note, it's not the dominant circulating strain.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><a><strong><span> Trump asks for $220 million to reopen Alcatraz</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Experts say vaccination remains critically important, particularly for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, as well as other measures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Masks, testing at home, staying at home if you're unwell, hand hygiene and other ways to limit the spread," Reading said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's one of five Omicron subvariants being monitored by the World Health Organisation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google 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