Scientists Monitor New 'Cicada' COVID-19 Variant
科學家監測新型「蟬」變異株新冠病毒
Public health officials globally are closely monitoring a new COVID-19 variant named 'Cicada', officially designated as BA.3.2.
全球公共衛生官員正在密切監控一種名為「Cicada」（蟬）的新冠病毒變異株，其官方指定名稱為BA.3.2。
This variant, which first appeared in South Africa in November 2024, earned its nickname because it seemed to remain dormant like an insect before resurfacing in late 2025.
此變異株於2024年11月首次出現於南非，因為它好像昆蟲一樣，在2025年末重新浮出水面之前曾處於休眠狀態，因此獲得了這個綽號。
As a descendant of the Omicron family, BA.3.2 is genetically distinct and highly mutated, with 70 to 75 changes in its spike protein.
作為Omicron家族的後代，BA.3.2在基因上獨特且突變程度極高，其棘突蛋白發生了70到75處變化。
While this has raised concerns about potential immune escape, experts note that vaccines likely remain effective against severe illness.
儘管這引發了人們對潛在免疫逃逸的擔憂，但專家指出，疫苗對預防重症仍然有效。
Currently, BA.3.2 is a minority strain worldwide, though it has been detected in over 20 countries and is present in at least 25 U.S. states through wastewater surveillance.
目前，BA.3.2在全球屬於少數毒株，儘管已在20多個國家被檢測到，並通過廢水監測在至少25個美國州份出現。
While the scientific community continues to study its evolution, officials currently view the 'Cicada' variant as a low-level threat, advising the public to continue with standard health precautions.
雖然科學界繼續研究其演化，但官員目前將「Cicada」變異株視為低風險威脅，並建議民眾繼續採取標準的健康預防措施。
