First Death Caused By Tick-induced Meat Allergy Reported In The US

You must have heard about diseases caused by tick bites. Ticks are tiny bugs which are difficult to spot. They are known to spread deadly diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Tick bite recently made headlines after it caused the death of a 47-year-old US man. What made it news is that this is the first-ever reported death caused by tick-induced meat allergy or alpha-gal syndrome. Want to know more about it? Read ahead.

To get an expert view on what alpha-gal syndrome is, we reached out to Dr Shireen Furtado, Sr Consultant - Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

First Death Caused By Alpha-gal Syndrome Reported

The man, who was reportedly from New Jersey, was an airline pilot. In September 2024, the man reportedly collapsed and became unconscious for about four hours after eating a hamburger at a barbeque. Despite attempts by the man's son and paramedics to resuscitate him, he was declared dead that night after being taken to a hospital. The man’s death was previously termed a mystery. This is because medical examinations did not show any of a heart attack or other life-threatening diseases or conditions.

After months of investigation, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine finally publicly announced the cause of death last Wednesday. The findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. The journal mentioned that it was crucial to document this case because many US doctors are not aware of alpha-gal syndrome — which caused the US man’s death. 

What Is Alpha-gal Syndrome? 

Alpha-gal is a molecule (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) which is naturally created in the bodies of most mammals, but not in humans. It can also be found in the saliva (spit) of some ticks.

Now, let us try and understand what alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) actually is. Dr Furtado shares, "It is a rare but serious allergy that people can develop after being bitten by certain ticks, especially the Lone Star tick. The tick injects a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the bloodstream, and in some people, the immune system learns to attack it. Because alpha-gal is found in most mammals, eating red meat (like beef, pork, lamb), or other mammal-derived products (milk, gelatin) can trigger an allergic reaction."

When a tick bites a human, it can transfer alpha-gal from its saliva into the person's blood. The body's natural defenses or immune system identifies alpha-gal as a threat and can trigger an allergic reaction. 

Also Read: CDC Confirms Black-Legged Ticks Can Trigger Red Meat Allergy In Humans

Symptoms, Causes And Prevention Of Alpha-gal Syndrome 

Symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome occur after people consume red meat or are exposed to other products made from mammals. AGS is also thus also known as red meat allergy or tick bite meat allergy.

Speaking about its symptoms and prevention, Dr Furtado says, "The reaction is often delayed, and symptoms usually begin 2 to 6 hours after eating. These symptoms may include hives, swelling, stomach pain, nausea, low blood pressure, breathing troubles, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. The only real way to manage it is by avoiding red meat and other mammalian products and preventing future tick bites."

The expert also shares how alpha-gal syndrome can be prevented. "Diagnosis involves allergy blood tests and careful medical history. Treatment mainly focuses on avoiding foods and products that contain alpha gal, reading ingredient labels carefully, and preventing tick bites in the future. Regular follow-ups with an allergy specialist can help manage symptoms and check if the allergy improves over time," she concludes.

Experts recommend patients with AGS to stop consuming the following:

• Red meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, or rabbit.
• Dairy products, if a person is not able to tolerate dairy.
• Some medicines and non-food products.

While AGS is caused by tick bites, more research is still required to understand the role of ticks in this condition. The reason why certain people develop AGS is not yet known. 

The Final Word

The first-ever reported death caused by tick-induced meat allergy or alpha-gal syndrome has been reported in the US. The 47-year-old man reportedly died last year after eating a hamburger at a barbeque.