January 1, Life-Threatening Illness On the Rise — and Doctors Don’t Know About It

Triggered by a Lone Star tick’s bite, a seldom-recognized, life-threatening food allergy known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), is reportedly affecting an increasing number of people across the U.S., according to a recent warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This unique allergy, also referred to as the “red-meat allergy” or the “tick bite meat allergy,” has been a point of focus in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The Lone Star tick, predominantly found in Southeastern and Eastern states, carries the sugar molecule alpha-gal in its saliva, which, when injected into the body during a bite, can incite allergies to certain kinds of red meat (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison) or products derived from mammals (such as cheese, milk, other dairy products and gelatin).

The affected individuals might experience serious allergy symptoms within a few hours of eating any foods containing these allergens.

Dr. Johanna Salzer, a CDC epidemiologist and a senior author of the report, reveals that awareness of AGS within the CDC only dates back to 2008.

“We have seen an annual increase in the numbers of suspected Alpha-Gal Syndrome cases between 2010 and 2022,” Salzer shared with Fox News Digital.

The report shows that a significant 30% of 300,000 tests conducted between 2017 and 2021 were positive for AGS.

The CDC has officially recorded over 110,000 suspected cases. Yet, it is believed that the actual count could be around 450,000 people.

This discrepancy stems from a likely underdiagnosis as many patients are reluctant to get tested and a considerable number of doctors remain oblivious to the condition.

Salzer explained, “Based on our survey of 1,500 physicians and medical professionals, nearly half of them had never even heard of the syndrome. Another third of them said they have heard of it, but that they have little confidence in their ability to diagnose [it] or manage a patient [with it].”

This syndrome, Salzer reminds us, varies in presentation and geographic locations, emphasizing the importance of physicians being well-informed about this health issue.

The wide range of reactions people experience when suffering from AGS adds complexity to diagnosing and treating it.

Symptoms may include hives, itchy or scaly skin, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, wheezing or shortness of breath, stomach pain, diarrhea, upset stomach or vomiting, as per the Mayo Clinic’s website.

Furthermore, the same person can exhibit different reactions at different times.

Dr. Scott Commins, a co-author of the CDC reports, also observed patients reporting “middle-of-the-night symptoms” such as hives, itching, and abdominal pain, along with persistent itchiness at the bite site.

Getting a diagnosis of AGS is a lengthy process, requiring antibody testing and a clinical exam.

On average, it takes a patient seven years to get diagnosed.

Accessibility to allergists, necessary for a diagnosis, poses another barrier for many people.

Once diagnosed with AGS, the condition could potentially be lifelong, although some people might experience a drop in antibody levels over time if they eliminate triggering foods from their diet.

Currently, there is no treatment or cure for AGS; however, symptoms can be managed with the help of physicians.

Despite its severity, no fatalities from Alpha-Gal Syndrome have been recorded by the CDC.

The Lone Star tick, suspected to be the primary carrier of Alpha-Gal Syndrome in the U.S., is predominantly found in the Eastern, Southeastern and South-Central states.

Salzer noted, “We’re seeing that the geographic pattern is kind of a contiguous region between the South, the Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic region, which follows very closely to the Lone Star tick’s established populations.”

Bottom Line

Preventive measures against tick bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks, avoiding grassy, brushy and wooded areas, and using EPA-approved insect repellent are recommended.

Salzer also advises conducting a thorough body check after returning from an area known to have ticks.

With this rising health concern, the CDC aims to increase awareness about AGS among physicians and patients.

It’s critical for physicians to accurately evaluate, diagnose and manage their patients and educate them about tick-bite prevention, said Dr. Ann Carpenter, an epidemiologist and the lead author of one of the papers released recently.

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