A new coronavirus variant, BA.3.2, is spreading across the US and several other countries, despite low overall case numbers.
First identified in November 2024 in South Africa, BA.3.2 has been detected in at least 25 states in the US and over 20 countries worldwide.
Experts are watching BA.3.2 closely due to its high number of mutations, particularly in the spike protein, which helps the virus enter human cells.
However, there is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe illness, and symptoms are expected to be similar to other recent COVID variants.
The World Health Organization has classified BA.3.2 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to its unusual mutation profile and growing spread.
