Henry County Public Health and Healthy Henry County Communities advised this week that some tick bites can cause a serious red meat allergy. Lone star ticks and alpha-gal syndrome cases are present in Henry County. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and dairy triggered by the bite of certain ticks, most notably the Lone Star tick in the US. A tick bite injects a sugar molecule called “alpha gal” into the body, causing the immune system to produce IgE antibodies. A blood test confirms the diagnosis.
Symptoms include hives, severe stomach pain, or anaphylaxis. Symptoms are delayed and can appear 2–6 hours after consumption of red meat. There is no cure, so prevention and avoiding trigger foods are key.
The CDC reports that cases have risen significantly in the U.S. since 2010, totaling over 110,000 between 2010 and 2022.
Be careful if you are out doing spring yard work or any outdoor activity. Wear an EPA-registered insect repellent and be sure to check for ticks when you come inside. Henry County Public Health advises you to check the CDC website for more information and a tool to help you choose the right insect repellent.
https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html