First โDeath Linked to Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a Tick-Inducedโ Meat Allergy, โReported in US
MINNESOTA – A Minnesota โman’s โขdeath in 2023 โhas been officially โฃlinked to Alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS), marking the first confirmedโข fatalityโฃ causedโ by the tick-borne illness inโ the United States. The Centers forโ Disease control and โคPrevention (CDC)โ confirmed the case,highlighting a growing public health concern as AGS diagnoses โคcontinue to rise across theโค Southeast and Midwest.
Alpha-Gal syndrome is triggered byโค the bite of the Lone Star tick, which carriesโข a sugar molecule calledโค alpha-gal. This molecule can cause an allergic reaction to red meat – beef, pork, lamb, and venison – and products derived โfrom โฃmammals, such โas gelatin, dairy, and even some medications. โคWhile previously understood to cause severe allergic reactions, the case underscores โthe potentially fatal consequences of AGS, notablyโฃ if diagnosis is delayed or accessโข to epinephrine is โฃlimited.
The individual,a 71-year-old man,experienced AGS symptoms after โa Lone Star tick โbite. He โคreceived a delayed diagnosis and ultimately โdied from cardiac arrest following anaphylaxis after consuming pork. The CDC’sโ inquiry, detailed in a recentโ Morbidityโ and Mortalityโ Weekly Report, revealed โคa complex medical history but ultimately determinedโฃ AGS as the cause of death.
“This case โคrepresents the first known death directly attributed to โAGS in โthe โUS, and it underscores the critical need for increased awareness among both the public and โhealthcare professionals,” stated Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green, an epidemiologist withโ the Minnesota Department of โHealthโข and lead author of the report. “Earlyโ recognition of symptoms and prompt accessโ toโฃ epinephrine are vital forโ managing severe reactions.”
Theโฃ CDC reports a meaningful increase in AGS cases in recentโ years,โ with over 6,000 confirmed cases โreported as ofโค December 2023, though experts believe โขthe actual number isโ significantlyโ higher due to โunderreporting andโค diagnostic challenges. The Lone Star tick’s geographic range is expanding, increasingโ the risk of AGS in previously unaffected areas.
Symptoms of AGSโ typically appear 3-8 hours after consuming red meat and can include hives, itching, swelling, shortness of breath,โ nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,โค and a drop inโ blood โคpressure. Individuals suspecting they may โขhave AGS should consult a healthcare provider for testing โand guidance.โ Preventionโฃ efforts โฃfocus on tick โฃbite prevention, including using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing thorough tick checks after spending timeโข outdoors.