A new, highly mutated Covid variant is quietly spreading across the US, prompting the CDC to take notice. The variant, known as BA.3.2, first appeared in South Africa in November 2024 and scientists are concerned that it could be significantly more adept at sidestepping immune defenses, particularly the protection provided by the 2025-2026 Covid vaccines. Overall, it accounts for a small fraction, about half a percent, of recent virus sequences, according to the latest CDC data. The CDC is monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 by testing international travelers, sampling airplane wastewater and monitoring sewers nationwide. Compared to the strain used in current vaccines, BA.3.2 has about 70 to 75 mutations on its spike protein.

Source: Daily Mail March 25, 2026 17:47 UTC