CDC warns of rare meat allergy caused by ticks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Identifies Alpha-Gal Syndrome as an Emerging Public⁤ Health Threat

“Alpha-gal syndrome is an important emerging public health problem, with potentially severe health impacts that⁢ can last a lifetime for some patients,” Ann Carpenter, a ‌CDC epidemic intelligence service officer⁣ for zoonotic diseases, said in a press⁣ release on Thursday.

What​ is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a rare tick-borne illness that has recently been identified as a significant public health concern. Unlike other tick-borne diseases, AGS is an allergic condition triggered by a‍ sugar found⁤ in mammalian meat‌ and other products. Consuming red meat, milk products, or gelatin can lead to ‌a serious allergic reaction within a few hours, causing symptoms such as itching, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and ‌a​ drop in blood pressure.

The majority of scientific research on tick-borne diseases has focused on more‌ common infections like Lyme disease and babesiosis. ‍Lyme‌ disease presents with different symptoms, including fevers, fatigue, and rash, while babesiosis manifests as flu-like‌ symptoms after a red blood cell infection. Both Lyme disease and babesiosis are caused by ⁣black-legged ticks, ‌which primarily feed on white-tailed ⁢deer.

AGS, on the other hand, is derived from a bite⁣ of a lone star tick, which is increasingly outnumbering black-legged ticks in certain ‌areas.

The ⁢Unique Challenges of AGS

AGS⁢ poses ‌unique challenges due to the lack of​ general and scientific knowledge about the condition. A recent study conducted by the CDC revealed that a significant percentage of healthcare providers were unaware of AGS ⁣or​ lacked confidence in their ability‍ to ‍identify and treat it successfully.

According to the CDC, there have been over 110,000 identified cases of ‍AGS in the United States from​ 2010 to 2022, but many more ⁤reactions likely went undiagnosed, bringing⁣ the estimated total to 450,000. The number of positive AGS diagnoses has risen by‌ 41% from 2017 to 2021.

“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 Johanna Salzer, a CDC ​epidemiologist.

The Lone Star Tick and its ⁤Spread

The lone ⁣star tick,⁣ known for its ‌aggressive biting behavior, has been ⁣overshadowed ​by ticks causing other illnesses like Lyme disease. However, the lone star tick’s importance is now being recognized as it‌ spreads beyond⁢ its traditional Southern and Midwestern U.S.⁣ habitats, even venturing into parts of Canada due to warmer temperatures and⁣ changes in land use patterns.

Efforts are being made by public health agencies to address the emerging problem of lone ⁣star ⁣ticks and AGS. The Public Health Agency ⁤of Canada has‍ already taken measures to predict where‌ the pest is likely to have the greatest impact.

Improving Awareness and Prevention

CDC officer Ann Carpenter emphasizes the importance of clinicians⁢ being aware of AGS ‌to properly evaluate, diagnose, ⁤and manage patients. Educating patients about tick-bite prevention is also crucial in protecting them from developing ⁢this allergic condition.

The Washington Examiner reached ⁤out to the CDC for comment on their plans to improve awareness‍ among medical professionals and the public regarding AGS, but no response was received.

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