First case of new Cicada coronavirus variant registered in Ukraine
A case of a new Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus called Cicada has been laboratory confirmed in Ukraine.
Public Health Center specialists identified the new variant during sequencing, the Health Ministry said.
The Cicada subvariant (BA.3.2) was first recorded in the world in South Africa in November 2024 and has since spread to 23 countries.
Clinical manifestations of the disease caused by the Cicada subvariant do not significantly differ from other COVID-19 variants, although mutations require further observation, especially among risk groups.
The Cicada subvariant currently shows no signs of increased epidemic risk or the ability to cause a new large-scale wave of morbidity, according to World Health Organization estimates. However, it remains under constant surveillance and requires monitoring at the national level, the Health Ministry said.
Symptoms of the disease caused by the Cicada virus are the same as other COVID-19 variants: runny nose, fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of smell or taste, possible eye irritation, and rashes.
The Health Ministry updated recommendations for vaccination against coronavirus infection in 2024. Vaccination is recommended for people in risk groups. People who completed a basic vaccination course and received a booster shot in previous years can continue to receive free revaccination.
