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Rising alpha-Gal Syndrome Cases Spark Urgent Health Alert
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Health officials are reporting a meaningful increase in cases of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) across the Southeastern United States and expanding northward, prompting a renewed focus on tick bite prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates over 4,500 confirmed cases as of december 2023,but believes the actual number is considerably higher due to underdiagnosis. Recent data from the University of North Carolina indicates a tenfold increase in reported cases between 2017 and 2023.
Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Mammalian Meat Allergy Triggered by Ticks
Alpha-gal syndrome is a delayed allergic reaction to red meat (beef, pork, lamb, venison) and othre mammalian products, including dairy. Unlike typical food allergies that cause immediate reactions, AGS symptoms – hives, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis – typically appear 3-8 hours after consuming mammalian products. The allergy is triggered by a bite from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), found in the eastern and southeastern U.S., and increasingly in the Midwest and Northeast.
the tick injects alpha-gal, a sugar molecule, into the bloodstream. In susceptible individuals, the immune system recognizes alpha-gal as a foreign substance and develops antibodies against it. These antibodies then react to alpha-gal present in mammalian meat and products.
If You Suspect Alpha-Gal Syndrome
If you suspect you may have alpha-gal syndrome, the first step is to consult your doctor and request a blood test to measure your immune system’s reaction to alpha-gal. Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp offer specific alpha-gal IgE antibody tests.
A positive test result necessitates avoiding all food products from mammals, including beef, pork, lamb, venison, dairy, and gelatin. Careful label reading is crucial.
Hidden alpha-gal can be found in some products containing additives like carrageenan,derived from red algae,and in some pharmaceuticals utilizing mammalian-derived ingredients. Individuals with AGS should also discuss potential cross-contamination risks with restaurants and food manufacturers.
Severe reactions may require carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).Resources like the CDC and alphagalinformation.org provide comprehensive details and support.
Ongoing Research and Unanswered Questions
As its initial documentation in 2009 by dr. Thomas Platts-Mills at the University of Virginia, research into AGS has expanded. Scientists have established a clear link between lone star tick bites and the progress of AGS. Studies at the Medical University of South Carolina have also indicated a potential association between AGS and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even in the absence of allergic symptoms.
However, significant gaps in understanding remain. Researchers are investigating why the tick
