[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]

2 clusters · 24 sources · 28 days · First seen · Last updated

COVID-19 BA.3.2 variant detection in Argentina

Overview

Argentina has confirmed its first three cases of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2 subvariant in residents of Buenos Aires Province. Identified through genomic surveillance by the ANLIS Malbrán laboratory, these cases involve a descendant of Omicron BA.3 that is currently classified internationally as a ‘Variant Under Monitoring’.

Detailed analysis of 21 genomes sequenced between April 26 and July 18, 2026, revealed that approximately 14% belonged to the BA.3.2 lineage. This marks the first detection of the variant in South America; previously, cases in the Americas had been recorded in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and French Guiana. The variant was originally detected in South Africa in November 2024.

While one patient required hospitalization due to pre-existing comorbidities, all three cases—consisting of one adult and two older adults—evolved favorably. Health authorities indicated that the variant does not currently represent a ‘substantial additional risk to public health’, as there is no evidence of increased severity or mortality compared to other circulating lineages. Although officials noted a moderate immune escape risk, they emphasized that existing vaccines continue to provide protection against severe disease. The Ministry of Health will maintain virological and epidemiological surveillance to monitor the variant's transmissibility and impact.

Entities

Autonomous City of Buenos Aires · Ministry of Health of the Nation · Argentina · Ministry of Health of Argentina · Buenos Aires Province

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [HEALTH] 24 sources
    Argentina detects first cases of COVID-19 BA.3.2 variant

    Argentina has detected its first three cases of the COVID-19 BA.3.2 subvariant in Buenos Aires province. Authorities state it currently poses no substantial additional health risk.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Buenos Aires detects new positive dengue case

    A new dengue case was confirmed in Buenos Aires, bringing the seasonal total to 70 confirmed cases. Health authorities are investigating 57 additional suspected cases.

Sources

agenciaelvigia.com.ar · am990formosa.com · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · datamarca.com · derquinoticias.com.ar · diariopampero.com · diariorepublica.com.ar · diariosanrafael.com.ar · djangourmet.com · eleco.com.ar · elsolnoticias.com.ar · eltributuc.com.ar · exclusiva.com.ar · fmalpha.com.ar · infobrandsen.com.ar · lagacetaonline.com.ar · lamanana.com.ar · lapioneradeclorinda.com · libertadnoticias.com · pilardetodos.com.ar · santiagonoticias.com.ar · somosjujuy.com.ar · spnoticias.com.ar · teleSURtv.net

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history