First ever death from meat allergy caused by tick bite reported

(WAND) - Doctors have reported the first ever death of a meat allergy caused by a tick bite.

A man in New Jersey died hours after eating a hamburger in 2024.

The University of Virginia recently identified the allergy behind his death.

It's called alpha-gal syndrome. It usually starts with a bite from a Lone Star tick. When ticks feed on deer, cow and pigs, the sugar sometimes gets into their saliva and can then be transmitted into humans.

Reactions can include hives, nausea, and life threatening anaphylaxis.

Governor Pritzker recently signed a alpha-gal awareness bill into law.

The Illinois TICK Act specifically addresses alpha-gal syndrome.

Anyone bitten by a Lone Star tick will have an allergy to red meat due to the infection. Some people don't know they have the disease until they go into anaphylactic shock while eating red meat.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is now required to provide educational materials about alpha-gal data on its website. IDPH will also create an awareness campaign for community members, local health departments, and medical providers on the signs and symptoms of alpha-gal.

The TICK Act ensures confirmed cases of alpha-gal syndrome are reported to local health departments and the state.

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