A New Jersey man is the first known person to die from Alpha Gal Syndrome (AGS), an allergy caused by tick bites. The condition can develop when a person is bitten by a lone star tick, which makes a person’s immune system sensitize to alpha-gal. Alpha gal is a molecule found in red meat, dairy and some other animal products.
The 47-year-old man developed AGS when he was bitten by lone star tick larvae on a camping trip. He became extremely sick 3 hours after consuming steak. Not aware that he had AGS, the man suffered a deadly allergic reaction after eating a burger two weeks later. Although scientists have have theorized that AGS could turn fatal, this is first time a deadly outcome has been confirmed.
Signs of AGS include symptoms such as nausea, rash or vomiting after consuming meat or dairy products. In addition to red meat itself, products derived from animals containing alpha-gal can also trigger symptoms. Alpha Gal Syndrome cases have exploded in the last decade as tick populations have grown across the US.
