A New COVID-19 Variant with 75 Mutations Detected in the U.S. A newly identified strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, known as BA.3.2, has been detected in multiple U.S. states and is raising concerns among health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the variant has undergone approximately 75 mutations, which may allow it to evade the immune protection provided by current vaccines. First reported in South Africa in November 2024, BA.3.2 has since been identified in 23 countries as of February 11, 2026. Scientists are cautioning that the strain’s spike protein, a key target for vaccines, has mutated significantly, potentially reducing the effectiveness of existing immunizations. The CDC has been monitoring the variant through its Traveller-Based Genomic Surveillance program. As of mid-March 2026, BA.3.2 was detected in six travelers who had recently visited the U.S. and in over two dozen patients across 29 states and Puerto Rico. The strain’s presence in wastewater sites further indicates its spread, though CDC data suggests it currently accounts for less than 0.5% of recent virus sequences. The first confirmed case in the U.S. was identified in June 2025 in a traveler from the Netherlands. The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report notes that BA.3.2 is genetically distinct from the JN.1 lineages that have dominated in the U.S. since January 2024. While the variant showed a spike in Europe around September 2025, comprising roughly 30% of cases in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, it has not become the dominant strain. Experts attribute this to its reduced ability to bind to human cells, which limits its transmission rate.#south_africa #cdc #denmark #ba_3_2 #traveler_based_genomic_surveillance
