Officials warn of a peculiar health scare rapidly spreading in the US.

Meat Allergy Caused by Tick Bites on the Rise in Virginia

Health officials in Virginia have issued a warning about a concerning rise in a meat allergy condition known as alpha-gal syndrome. This allergy, which can ​be life-threatening, is caused by an illness spread by⁢ lone star ticks, a​ species common in⁣ Virginia.

Lone star ticks are⁤ also found in other parts of the United States, as well as in Mexico and Canada.

“We do have a lot of lone star ‌ticks here‌ in Virginia, so we ‍think that’s driving a‌ lot of what ⁣we are seeing in Virginia when‌ it comes to alpha-gal⁢ and people testing positive for alpha-gal,” said Julia Murphy, a‌ state public health veterinarian ‍with‌ the Virginia Department ​of Health.

Despite​ the increasing cases, there is still⁣ much that is unknown about this meat allergy.‍ It is unclear how long it takes for symptoms⁢ to develop, ‌and⁤ researchers are ⁣unsure of how to combat ​the syndrome.

According to Murphy, “Once you have alpha-gal, your⁣ future is somewhat uncertain in regard to the kind of restrictions you‌ might have and what you can eat ⁢and what other things you can take in orally, such as ⁣medications.”

If you have been bitten by a tick recently and are experiencing allergic ​reactions after eating, it is important to contact‍ your doctor and inform ⁣them of the symptoms.

To avoid developing the red meat allergy, it ‍is best to prevent tick bites in the first​ place. Murphy ‌recommends wearing lighter-colored clothing when outdoors ‍to spot ticks more easily, using tick ⁢sprays, ‍and checking for ticks when coming inside.

The Alpha-Gal Sugar and its Effects

The Virginia ⁢Department of Health has warned that the lone star tick carries the alpha-gal sugar ⁤in its saliva, which it then transmits into a person’s body after biting. This saliva prompts an immune response similar⁤ to an allergic reaction.

“The tick’s saliva prompts an immune response ​from the human body to develop antibodies in an attempt to⁣ combat ‌the foreign substance. However, now ⁤the​ immune system has a difficult time determining whether or not the​ alpha-gal carbohydrate floating around in your​ blood is from the tick or from the burger you ⁣just ate, potentially ⁢resulting in an allergic reaction,” stated the health agency.

This warning comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in red meat allergies caused by alpha-gal‌ syndrome, describing it as an “emerging public health‍ concern.” The condition can be fatal and‍ occurs after consuming red ​meat or products containing alpha-gal, a type of sugar found in most mammals.

The lone star tick, also known as Amblyomma americanum, can be​ found‍ across the Southeastern⁢ and Eastern United States, as ‍well as in Mexico and parts of Canada. It is distinguishable by ​a single spot on its back, earning it the name “lone star” tick.⁤ While it has a lower chance of transmitting ‌Lyme disease compared to deer ticks, it can transmit other diseases such‌ as⁣ monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and southern tick-associated rash illness.