Health experts in Missouri are keeping a close watch on a newly identified COVID‑19 variant known as Cicada, though confirmed cases in the state remain limited.
Dr. Sayo Weihs with University Health in Kansas City says the Cicada variant carries dozens of genetic mutations that could allow it to get around some existing immunity. Still, she emphasizes that it is not spreading rapidly or overtaking other circulating strains.
“Per CDC reports, we have seen eight confirmed cases in Missouri as of January 2026, according to the wastewater samples,” Weihs said.
So far, doctors are not seeing signs that Cicada causes more severe illness than previous variants. Weihs says the symptoms reported look very familiar to what Missourians have experienced throughout the pandemic.
“We have not seen any different symptoms of this strain than before,” she said. “So those can include things like runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, possibly changes in taste or smell.”
One concern, however, is how well the most recent vaccines may perform against this strain. Weihs says the 2025–2026 vaccines may not work as effectively against the BA 3.2 lineage.
“That’s the biggest concern that we have, meaning that we can definitely see a lot more breakthrough infections in the community,” Weihs said.
For now, the guidance from health experts remains unchanged: pay attention to symptoms, take common‑sense precautions, and watch how the variant develops as experts continue monitoring its spread.
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