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A New Jersey man has become the first known person to die after a tick bite triggered a severe meat allergy. The 47-year-old man went camping with his family in 2024 and grew violently ill after eating a steak. He recovered but, two weeks later, after eating a hamburger, he again became very sick and died. An autopsy labeled the death unexplained until his wife had his blood tested at the University of Virginia, where researchers determined he had Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy caused by the bite of a Lone Star tick.
Experts explain that Alpha-gal syndrome involves a hypersensitivity to a carbohydrate found in animal meat. The reaction is triggered by a bite from a Lone Star tick. Lone Star ticks are primarily found in the Northeast, South, and Midwest, and are identifiable by a white dot or lone star on their back. Tick populations have been rising and spreading to more parts of the United States, a trend linked to climate change, including milder winters.
Doctors note that Alpha-gal syndrome is treatable, and prevention plays a crucial role. In areas where Lone Star ticks are prevalent, people are advised to wear long sleeves and long pants and to use tick repellent when outdoors in wooded areas. The emphasis is on prevention as the best approach to reducing risk.
The victim had no known medical history prior to his illness. Alpha-gal syndrome is rare, but individuals who notice sickness occurring shortly after eating meat are advised to speak with their doctor.