Reports have circulated in international and local media about a new COVID-19 variant called BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada." First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health, Nurmat Atabekov, issued an official statement on the matter. According to him, the World Health Organization (WHO) has registered this mutation in 23 countries, including the United States, Hong Kong, Mozambique, and the United Kingdom.

Atabekov emphasized that the BA.3.2 variant was identified some time ago and is characterized by not spreading rapidly, hence the name "cicada" – an insect that can "hibernate" for up to 17 years. The WHO stated that it needs to continue monitoring the disease's spread level but sees no basis for serious problems to arise. There is also insufficient evidence that the new variant is more dangerous than others.

Preliminary studies indicate that the Cicada variant presents with clinical signs similar to Omicron: respiratory tract damage, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, redness, and sometimes loss of smell and taste. Experts note that children are more susceptible to this variant compared to adults, as many were not vaccinated during the pandemic or have not previously encountered the coronavirus.

Nurmat Atabekov recommended limiting contact with people returning from areas where virus hotspots have been identified but noted that the Cicada variant is far from likely to cause an epidemic or pandemic. Using Uzbekistan as an example, he pointed out that the epidemiological situation in the country is stable, with nearly 80% of the population having developed herd immunity. Therefore, it is incorrect to spread sensationalist reports about new variants, and there is no basis for concern.

Source: www.gazeta.uz