Tick-Borne Meat Allergy: Rising Cases and Climate Change Connection

The lone star tick, named for the female's distinctive white dot on its back, can spread sugar alpha-gal via its spit, triggering alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) in sufferers. AGS causes severe allergic reactions to red meat, including hives, nausea, heartburn, and difficulty breathing. New research estimates that the number of AGS sufferers in the US may be as high as 450,000 people. While AGS is manageable by avoiding red meat, it can be life-threatening if a severe allergic reaction occurs. The CDC's reports also revealed a rise in tick-borne illnesses, highlighting the importance of tick bite prevention.