Tick-Borne Alpha-Gal Meat Allergy Affects Hundreds Across US Regions

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a tick-borne illness increasingly affecting thousands of Americans, causing severe allergic reactions to red meat and other mammalian products. Transmitted primarily by the Lone Star tick, AGS triggers an immune response to the carbohydrate alpha-gal found in tick saliva, forcing many patients to adopt strict meat-free diets and avoid products containing mammal derivatives. The syndrome has become widespread in areas such as Martha’s Vineyard, where restaurants have introduced special menus to accommodate affected individuals, and in states like Kentucky and Kansas, where cases are rising and public awareness remains limited. Symptoms range from rashes and hives to life-threatening reactions, sometimes triggered even by the smell of cooking meat or contact with everyday products. Climate change is expanding tick habitats and activity, raising concerns for public health officials and prompting biologists to survey new tick species in regions like Montana. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of recognizing AGS symptoms promptly to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely treatment.