Children Seem More Susceptible to the 'Cicada' Covid-19 Variant, BA.3.2
The latest variant of the Covid-19 virus seems to be most prevalent in children, although it doesn't seem to be causing a more severe illness in either children or adults. This shift in pattern, from being primarily a threat to older adults to affecting children, offers a new angle for scientists to study and understand the behavior of this continually evolving virus.
What is the 'Cicada' Variant?
The 'Cicada' variant, scientifically known as BA.3.2, is a new branch of the Omicron family tree that the US is only just beginning to grapple with. The variant has been detected in 23 countries worldwide and has also been found in wastewater from 25 US states. While its circulation in the US appears to be low for now, reduced testing since the pandemic's peak suggests it might be more widespread than we currently realize.
Despite the emergence of this new variant, current vaccines are still expected to provide some protection. The impact of the 'Cicada' variant so far has been so minimal that scientists are unsure whether it's necessary to adjust the vaccines to counter it.
The 'Cicada' Variant - A Closer Look
The 'Cicada' variant first appeared in November 2024 and has since taken its time to spread. Despite the slow progression, it's not without impact. As one expert put it, "It's not a nothingburger, but it's like adding grilled onions to your burger."
There seems to be a consensus among experts that there is no need to include this variant in the next vaccine update. Previous immunity and vaccinations don't seem to be causing an increase in hospitalizations or deaths from the 'Cicada' variant. Moreover, there seems to be little public interest in a new vaccination campaign. Experts believe it's more crucial to monitor the variant, ensuring it doesn't transform in a way that could pose a threat.
The 'Cicada' Variant - A Disappearing Act
The 'Cicada' variant earned its nickname due to its behavior similar to the insect, which disappears and reemerges after years underground. The variant was first detected in 2022 but then mysteriously went silent. Scientists believe it infected a single person for two years, who couldn't completely fight it off, leading to a reemergence of the virus.
When the 'Cicada' variant reappeared in a 5-year-old boy in South Africa, it looked very different from its parent virus. This variant has around 53 changes to its spike protein, compared to BA.3, and around 70 mutations compared to the original coronavirus that emerged in 2019.
The Global Impact of the 'Cicada' Variant
The numerous alterations in the 'Cicada' variant might help it evade the immunity developed through previous infections and vaccinations. However, unlike other highly mutated variants of SARS-CoV-2, this variant hasn't shown any signs of global dominance. The variant seems to have lost its ability to bind tightly to ACE-2 receptors on cells, which are necessary for infections. As a result, it hasn't driven new waves of disease.
Children and the 'Cicada' Variant
The 'Cicada' variant seems to infect children aged between 3 and 15 years more efficiently than adults, although the reasons for this are still unknown. There are several theories, including the possibility that the variant is better at infecting children because their immunity from vaccines and previous infections wanes more quickly than in adults. Another theory is that this could be related to missing parts of the virus' genome in BA.3.2, which play a role in activating the immune system.
Children are also at a disadvantage because they're frequently exposed to germs, especially in school or daycare settings. This means they're easy targets for any respiratory virus, not just Covid-19. The fact that the 'Cicada' variant might be better at infecting children simply means it's behaving like any other respiratory virus, such as the flu, which typically spreads from school-aged children to their parents and grandparents each season.