Tick-Borne Meat Allergy May Have Impacted Nearly Half a Million People in US
The CDC reported that a rare and potentially life-threatening red meat allergy, triggered by ticks, could have affected up to 450,000 Americans, with cases on the rise.
As many as 450,000 Americans may have been impacted by a rare and potentially life-threatening red meat allergy caused by ticks, with the number of cases continuing to rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
New reports released by the CDC on Thursday found that between 96,000 and 450,000 people in the United States may have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as the red-meat allergy or the tick bite meat allergy since 2010.
Individuals with AGS experience allergic reactions after consuming food or products containing alpha-gal, a sugar molecule not naturally present in humans. It is present in meat, pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, and venison, and other products made from mammals including gelatin and milk products.
“Alpha-gal syndrome is an important emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that can last a lifetime for some patients,” said Dr. Ann Carpenter, a CDC epidemiologist and lead author of one of the reports. “It’s critical for clinicians to be aware of AGS so they can properly evaluate, diagnose, and manage their patients and also educate them on tick-bite prevention to protect patients from developing this allergic condition.”
According to scientific research, AGS is primarily linked to lone star tick bites in the United States, although the involvement of other tick species cannot be entirely dismissed. Scientists say there is a higher prevalence of AGS cases in regions situated in the southern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States.
Among the widely-ranging symptoms are hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing which could trigger fatal anaphylaxis. Due to how long it takes to digest meat, symptoms can be difficult to spot.
The studies revealed that many healthcare providers in the US are not familiar with the potentially life-threatening allergic condition and Of those aware, knowledge about diagnosis and management is low.
“The burden of alpha-gal syndrome in the United States could be substantial given the large percentage of cases suspected to be going undiagnosed due to non-specific and inconsistent symptoms, challenges seeking healthcare, and lack of clinician awareness,” said Dr. Johanna Salzer, senior author on both papers released. “It’s important that people who think they may suffer from AGS see their healthcare provider or an allergist, provide a detailed history of symptoms, get a physical examination, and a blood test that looks for specific antibodies (proteins made by your immune system) to alpha-gal.”
In response to the new data, the animal advocacy group, People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) has unveiled a cookbook that helps people with the syndrome discover vegan recipes that are therefore free from products containing alpha-gal.
“From beef-free stews to pulled BBQ jackfruit, the tasty recipes in PETA’s new cookbook prove that there’s no need to be ticked off by a meat allergy,” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “We’re introducing involuntary lone star tick blood donors to delicious vegan meals that will have them enjoying every bite.”
Credit: PETA
The Lone Star Tick Cookbook features recipes designed for meat lovers, such as Philly “cheesesteaks,” slow-cooker Texas chili, and vegan sausage, biscuit, and gravy sandwiches. PETA is also donating copies of the cookbook to libraries in areas with some of the highest number of reported alpha-gal syndrome cases in the country.
“Although animals used for food feel pain and fear, just as humans do, they endure mutilations such as debeaking, castration, and dehorning and are trucked through all weather extremes, sometimes over hundreds of miles, without food or water,” state PETA. “At slaughterhouses, workers hang them upside down and cut their throats—sometimes, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors report, while they’re still conscious. Every person who goes vegan spares the lives of nearly 200 animals each year and greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”
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