First U.S. Fatality Tied to Tick-Related Meat Allergy

Researchers have confirmed the first recorded death caused by alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a delayed allergic reaction to red meat that develops after bites from certain ticks. The case, recently detailed by teams at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, involved a 47-year-old New Jersey man whose symptoms emerged hours after eating beef on two separate occasions in 2024.

A Rare but Significant Case

According to the published findings, the man experienced severe gastrointestinal distress—characteristic of AGS—after eating a steak during a family camping trip. A similar episode occurred two weeks later following a hamburger eaten at a barbecue. Although he appeared stable earlier in the evening, he collapsed at home and could not be resuscitated. An initial autopsy could not determine the cause of death, prompting further investigation.

Blood samples later tested at UVA and Mayo Clinic revealed markers consistent with a severe allergic reaction, including elevated antibodies to alpha-gal, a carbohydrate present in most mammalian meat. This confirmed that the man had developed AGS and experienced a fatal anaphylactic event.

Link to Lone Star Ticks

The patient had been bitten multiple times earlier that summer by what were initially thought to be chiggers. Researchers determined these were likely larval Lone Star ticks—the primary vector associated with AGS in the U.S. These ticks pick up alpha-gal when feeding on mammals and can transfer it to humans through subsequent bites.

Lone Star ticks are most common in the South, East, and central U.S., though their range has been steadily expanding. Increasing deer populations and shifting climate patterns are considered contributing factors. As exposure rises, more AGS cases are being identified; CDC data suggests over 110,000 suspected cases between 2010 and 2022, though the true number may be significantly higher.

Relevance for Meat Industry Stakeholders

For meat processors, distributors, and foodservice operations, AGS remains uncommon but increasingly recognized. The condition does not affect meat safety or handling practices; instead, it represents an emerging consumer health issue driven by environmental exposure to ticks. Reactions typically occur two to six hours after consumption of beef, pork, lamb, or other mammalian products, making the allergy challenging to identify without proper clinical awareness.

Clinical and Public Health Notes

Most individuals with AGS manage symptoms through dietary adjustment, primarily by avoiding red meat and sometimes dairy or gelatin. Severe reactions are uncommon, and fatalities exceedingly rare—the New Jersey case is the first known death linked directly to consumption of meat in a person with AGS.

Medical experts emphasize that diagnosis relies on clear symptom history and laboratory testing. However, surveys indicate that many clinicians are still unfamiliar with AGS, which may delay identification.

Preventing Tick Exposure

Public health agencies continue to highlight tick avoidance as the primary preventive strategy. Recommended measures include protective clothing, repellents, and avoiding tall grass and brush during peak tick activity.

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