First case of new COVID-19 subvariant "Cicada" detected in Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Ministry of Health specialists have laboratory confirmed the appearance of the Cicada strain in Ukraine. Symptoms of the new variant do not differ from previous Omicron virus lineages.
The first case of a new coronavirus variant called "Cicada" has been registered in Ukraine, reported by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, April 22, writes UNN.
A laboratory-confirmed case of the new Omicron subvariant of coronavirus called "Cicada" was detected by specialists from the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine during sequencing.
"Cicada" was first reported globally in late 2024. It is currently known to be spreading in 23 countries.
According to WHO estimates, the "Cicada" subvariant currently shows no signs indicating an increased epidemiological risk or the ability to cause a new large-scale wave of illness, but it is under constant epidemiological surveillance and requires monitoring at the country level.
What the Ministry of Health says
Given reports from other countries, the clinical manifestations of the disease caused by the "Cicada" subvariant do not significantly differ from other COVID-19 variants. At the same time, the presence of mutations requires further observation, especially among risk groups for severe disease. Therefore, we recommend that people in risk groups consult with their family doctor regarding vaccination.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of the "Cicada" subvariant are the same as for other COVID-19 variants: runny nose, fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of smell or taste, possible eye irritation, and rashes.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe COVID-19 and its complications. If you have symptoms, consult a doctor, the Ministry of Health emphasized.
