New Covid Variant BA.3.2 Detected in Multiple US States

BA.3.2, an Omicron variant of Covid-19 featuring numerous spike mutations, has shown up in 29 states across the US and Puerto Rico. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that, as of now, there’s no evidence to suggest that this variant is more severe than others we’ve seen recently.

Dr. Jake Scott, a professor at Stanford University and an infectious disease expert, pointed out, “The right response to BA.3.2 is serious attention, not alarm.” He noted that this variant has pronounced changes in its spike protein. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already marked it for discussion at their upcoming meeting in May, classifying it as a “variant under monitoring.” So far, it has not been given a higher-risk designation. WHO continues to advise masking and enhancing ventilation in high-risk settings to curb all forms of Covid-19 and associated risks, including long Covid.

Scott mentioned, according to WHO, that BA.3.2 “has not shown a sustained growth advantage over other circulating variants, nor is there data suggesting increased severity, hospitalizations, or deaths linked to it.” In the US, BA.3.2 constitutes a small portion of the analyzed Covid-19 infections. Meanwhile, in parts of Europe, it has increased to a notable share of sequenced cases without indicating worse clinical outcomes.

Marc Veldhoen, an immunologist at the University of Lisbon, described BA.3.2 as largely typical for an Omicron subvariant, stating, “This means biologically no major differences have been reported or are expected: it is Omicron Sars-CoV-2.” Symptoms remain similar to those found in other respiratory infections. Though some reports have labeled BA.3.2 as heavily mutated, Veldhoen remarked that “heavily mutated is relative; Sars-CoV-2 comprises nearly 30,000 base pairs.”

Current vaccines seem effective against this new variant, as noted by both Veldhoen and Scott. However, the mutation might influence how future vaccines are updated.

Scott raised an important question: whether BA.3.2 significantly diminishes protection against severe disease. He pointed out that the existing evidence currently shows it doesn’t.

Scott acknowledged that while antibodies targeting the spike protein can lose some efficacy with significant changes in the virus, vaccines and prior infections create a deep layer of immune memory. This could recognize and combat the virus, even after mutations. He emphasized that this resilience is a primary reason protection against hospitalization and death has remained more intact when compared to protection against infection.

Veldhoen affirmed there’s no immediate need for public health officials, the general population, or medical practitioners to adjust their behavior due to this variant. However, he advised vaccine researchers to continue tracking it to determine the best approach for future vaccine updates.

Scott also voiced concern over BA.3.2’s representation in pediatric samples within the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (Gisaid) database. He observed that it is “overrepresented in pediatric samples relative to adults” in various countries. But he cautioned against making a leap from “more commonly sequenced in children” to “preferentially infects children” in any significant clinical sense.

Scott pointed out that sequencing data often reflects who gets tested and whose samples get analyzed—not necessarily who becomes infected. While mild infections in adults may go untested these days, children with symptoms tend to be tested and treated in settings where their virus is sequenced more frequently. Both Scott and Veldhoen noted that children might have higher infection rates simply due to less exposure over the years compared to adults.

“More importantly,” Scott stated, “there is no current signal that BA.3.2 is causing more severe disease in children.” He underscored that while the pattern is worth monitoring, it shouldn’t lead to panic.

Ultimately, Scott reminded that the goal never was to prevent every single infection but to keep people out of hospitals. He reassured that this protection has proven to be sturdier than what the variant-related headlines might imply.