Over 100,000 Americans have developed a red meat allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome, due to tick bites since 2010, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The allergy, which could affect up to 450,000 US citizens, making it the 10th most common food allergy, is triggered when alpha-gal sugar found in mammal meat and tick spit enters the body, causing severe allergic reactions. Despite the rising numbers, nearly half of US primary care doctors are unaware of the syndrome. Symptoms include hives, nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach pain, and can occur hours after eating. CTVNews reported

Increasing Cases of Red Meat Allergy in the U.S. Linked to Tick Bites

In the United States, a peculiar syndrome triggered by tick bites has led to over 100,000 people developing an allergy to red meat since 2010, as per a government report issued on Thursday. However, health authorities suspect that the actual number of people affected could be significantly higher, with many unaware of their condition.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Growing Food Allergy

An additional report estimates that up to 450,000 Americans might be suffering from this allergy, making it the 10th most prevalent food allergy in the country, stated Dr. Scott Commins, a researcher at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Commins also contributed to the drafting of both papers, which were published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While no confirmed fatalities have been reported, those affected by the allergy have described their experiences as confusing and frightening. The allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is triggered when a person consumes beef, pork, venison, or other mammal meats, or ingests mammal-derived products like milk and gelatin.

Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome

This reaction isn’t triggered by a pathogen, but by a sugar called alpha-gal that’s found in the meat of mammals and in tick saliva. If this sugar enters the body through the skin, it can stimulate an immune response leading to a severe allergic reaction. The connection between this syndrome and tick bites was first reported by researchers in 2011.

The lone star tick, despite its Texas-inspired name, is most common in the eastern and southern U.S., and is linked to this syndrome. Approximately 4% of all U.S. cases have occurred in the eastern region of New York’s Long Island.

Rising Cases of Alpha-Gal Syndrome

A study analysing the test results from the main U.S. commercial lab testing for alpha-gal antibodies from 2017 to 2022 highlighted an increase in positive test results, from about 13,000 in 2017 to 19,000 in 2022. Experts suggest this rise could be due to various factors such as an expanding range of lone star ticks, increased human-tick interactions, or improved knowledge and testing among doctors.

However, a survey last year of 1,500 U.S. primary care doctors and health professionals revealed that nearly half were unfamiliar with alpha-gal syndrome, and only 5% felt very confident in diagnosing it. Using this data, researchers estimated that roughly 450,000 people could be living with this allergy.

Symptoms and Management of Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Individuals with this syndrome may experience symptoms such as hives, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids. Unlike other food allergies, these reactions often occur several hours after eating.

Doctors advise patients with this allergy to modify their diet, carry epinephrine, and avoid tick bites. For some, the allergy may fade over time, but avoiding additional tick bites is crucial to this process.

Patients’ Experiences with Alpha-Gal Syndrome

One patient, Bernadine Heller-Greenman, a 78-year-old New York art historian, was diagnosed with this syndrome after experiencing severe allergic reactions following the consumption of red meat and dairy products. Since her diagnosis, Heller-Greenman has avoided these foods and has not experienced any further allergic reactions.

She expressed gratitude for her positive outcome but acknowledged that not all healthcare professionals are familiar with this syndrome.

The content was produced by The Associated Press Health and Science Department, with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP retains full responsibility for all content.

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