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Rachel V Thomas

COVID Cicada variant: Are Children More At Risk? How To Safeguard?

The <span>COVID Cicada variant</span>, currently circulating in 23 countries, is likely to affect children more than the previous variants.

Children have largely escaped severe illness from the SARS-COV-2 virus.

However, the new <span>Cicada variant</span> with around 75 genetic changes in its spike protein is likely to disproportionately affect children, as per an expert, who noted its presence in the UK.

“Some people have done analysis on this, suggesting it may be more prevalent among young children. Children get infections all the time, but this might be something to do with the fact that they have never been exposed to <span>Covid</span> vaccines," Prof Ravindra Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, was quoted as saying to The Mirror.

“So this is something we’re looking at in the lab to try and work out why. The problem with this is that it is an infection that spreads fast. Eventually, it ends up in someone vulnerable," he added.

Symptoms seem to be similar to those of other recent variants and include

<ul><li>sore throat, </li><li>cough, </li><li>congestion, </li><li>fatigue, </li><li>headache </li><li>fever.</li></ul>According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Cicada variant is also likely to raise gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or diarrhea.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cicada-variant-will-the-current-covid-vaccine-provide-protection-article-153942506" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cicada Variant: Will The Current COVID Vaccine Provide Protection?</a>

<h2>What Do The 75 Genetic Changes Mean?</h2>

Cicada, a descendant of the Omicron variant that emerged in 2021, was first detected in South Africa in 2024. However, it disappeared soon after, only to emerge early this year.

Prof Gupta told the publication that “the Cicada variant developed the 75 mutations to escape immunity, and it evolved by incubating a single patient for over a year”.

"This 'patient zero' would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system," due to HIV or anti-cancer drugs.

Further, he explained that due to 75 mutations to the spike protein, the body’s antibodies will take a longer time to fight the Cicada variant.

However, there is no evidence yet that it is likely to cause more severe disease.

<h2>Will The Cicada Variant Cause Severe Illness?</h2>

The Cicada variant is particularly concerning as it provides no immune protection to people with previous infection or even vaccination.

Yet, the World Health Organization and health experts advise that existing COVID vaccinations can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

"It would appear that all the protections we have from our experience with the virus and with vaccines probably offer more limited—not zero—but more limited protection against this strain," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was quoted as saying by Time.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/covid-variant-ba-3-2-spreads-to-23-countries-is-the-variant-under-monitoring-a-cause-of-worry-article-153924347" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID Variant BA.3.2 Spreads To 23 Countries: Is The Variant Under Monitoring A Cause Of Worry?</a>

Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, a doctor and healthcare strategy executive, writing in Forbes, stressed the need to follow COVID practices such as masks and hand hygiene.

"Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission," he said.

He also urged “avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently, and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection spread”.

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The COVID Cicada variant, currently circulating in 23 countries, is likely to affect children more than the previous variants.Children have largely escaped severe illness from the SARS-COV-2 virus.However, the new Cicada variant with around 75 genetic changes in its spike protein is likely to disproportionately affect children, as per an expert, who noted its presence in the UK.“Some people have done analysis on this, suggesting it may be more prevalent among young children. Children get infections all the time, but this might be something to do with the fact that they have never been exposed to Covid vaccines," Prof Ravindra Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, was quoted as saying to The Mirror.“So this is something we’re looking at in the lab to try and work out why. The problem with this is that it is an infection that spreads fast. Eventually, it ends up in someone vulnerable," he added.Key SymptomsSymptoms seem to be similar to those of other recent variants and includesore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, headache fever.According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Cicada variant is also likely to raise gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or diarrhea.Also read: Cicada Variant: Will The Current COVID Vaccine Provide Protection?What Do The 75 Genetic Changes Mean?Cicada, a descendant of the Omicron variant that emerged in 2021, was first detected in South Africa in 2024. However, it disappeared soon after, only to emerge early this year. Prof Gupta told the publication that “the Cicada variant developed the 75 mutations to escape immunity, and it evolved by incubating a single patient for over a year”. "This 'patient zero' would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system," due to HIV or anti-cancer drugs. Further, he explained that due to 75 mutations to the spike protein, the body’s antibodies will take a longer time to fight the Cicada variant. However, there is no evidence yet that it is likely to cause more severe disease.Will The Cicada Variant Cause Severe Illness?The Cicada variant is particularly concerning as it provides no immune protection to people with previous infection or even vaccination.Yet, the World Health Organization and health experts advise that existing COVID vaccinations can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization."It would appear that all the protections we have from our experience with the virus and with vaccines probably offer more limited—not zero—but more limited protection against this strain," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was quoted as saying by Time.Also read: COVID Variant BA.3.2 Spreads To 23 Countries: Is The Variant Under Monitoring A Cause Of Worry?How To SafeguardDr. Sai Balasubramanian, a doctor and healthcare strategy executive, writing in Forbes, stressed the need to follow COVID practices such as masks and hand hygiene."Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission," he said.He also urged “avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently, and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection spread”.

covid cicada variant: are children more at risk? how to safeguard?

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