First Death Linked to Tick-Borne Meat Allergy Reported in New Jersey

A 47-year-old New Jersey man has become the first known fatality linked to Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), a tick-borne meat allergy, according to researchers at UVAHealth in Virginia. The previously unidentified case has prompted medical experts to warn about this increasingly recognized but still relatively unknown condition.

The man died last summer approximately four hours after consuming a hamburger, just two weeks after experiencing a similar but non-fatal episode following steak consumption. During the earlier incident, he suffered severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, according to a UVAHealth press release.

Initially documented as a “sudden unexplained death,” the case was later investigated by Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills of UVAHealth, who determined the man had suffered a fatal allergic reaction. The findings were subsequently published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also referred to as “red-meat allergy” or “tick bite meat allergy,” is triggered by the bite of the Lone Star tick, which is primarily found throughout the Southeastern and Eastern United States. When this tick bites a human, its saliva introduces a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the bloodstream, which can trigger allergic reactions to certain mammalian products.

“The important information for the public is: First, that severe abdominal pain occurring three to five hours after eating beef, pork or lamb should be investigated as a possible episode of anaphylaxis; and, second, that tick bites that itch for more than a week or larvae of ticks often called ‘chiggers’ can induce or increase sensitization to mammalian-derived meat,” explained Dr. Platts-Mills, former chief of UVA Health’s Division of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The delayed reaction—typically occurring several hours after consumption—makes AGS particularly dangerous and often difficult to diagnose. In the New Jersey case, researchers noted that additional factors may have contributed to the severe reaction, including the consumption of beer with the hamburger, exposure to ragweed pollen, and recent exercise.

Symptoms of AGS can range from mild to severe. Common reactions include rash, nausea, vomiting, itchy or scaly skin, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, and potentially wheezing or shortness of breath. In extreme cases, as demonstrated by this first documented fatality, the reaction can be life-threatening.

The path to diagnosis is often long and complex. According to Dr. Johanna Salzer, a CDC epidemiologist and author of a 2023 report on AGS, patients face an average wait of seven years for proper diagnosis.

“And to get diagnosed, they have to have access to an allergist,” Salzer previously told Fox News Digital. “For many people, there are barriers to get that level of treatment.”

Currently, there is no cure for AGS, and those diagnosed may have the condition for life. However, some patients may see their antibody levels drop over time if they eliminate trigger foods from their diet. Management typically focuses on symptom control and strict dietary avoidance of mammalian meat products, which can include not only beef, pork, lamb and venison, but also dairy products and gelatin in some cases.

For those with severe reactions, healthcare providers often prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) in case of anaphylactic shock.

Prevention remains the most effective approach to avoiding AGS. Health experts recommend applying EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone before venturing into areas where ticks may be present.

Additional preventive measures include wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks, avoiding grassy, brushy and wooded areas, and conducting thorough tick checks after potential exposure. Showering promptly after outdoor activities can also help remove unattached ticks.

Dr. Platts-Mills urged healthcare providers and patients in regions where Lone Star ticks are common to be vigilant about this emerging health risk. “More specifically, if they have unexpected episodes of severe abdominal pain occurring several hours after eating mammalian meat, they should be investigated for possible sensitization to the oligosaccharide alpha-gal,” he advised.

This fatal case highlights the need for increased awareness and education about AGS, particularly as tick populations expand their geographic range across the United States.