As many as 450,000 people in the United States may have been affected by alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday. AGS, also known as the red-meat allergy or the tick-bite meat allergy, is an emerging and potentially life-threatening allergic condition that has mostly gone undiagnosed.
More than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome were identified, between 2010 and 2022, the CDC announced, adding that diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome requires a positive diagnostic test and a clinical exam. Many individuals with alpha-gal syndrome may not get tested and could never know.
Dr. Scott Commins, a University of North Carolina researcher who co-authored both papers published by the CDC told the Associated Press that that would make it the 10th most common food allergy in the U.S.
Researchers also found that 78 percent of healthcare providers surveyed had little or no knowledge of the condition, and many clinicians who had heard of the syndrome were unsure of how to diagnose it.
What is AGS?
Alpha-gal is a sugar found in meat from mammals (pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, etc.) and products made from mammals (e.g., gelatin, cow’s milk, milk products, some pharmaceuticals). It is not found in humans or apes. AGS is a serious allergic condition some people experience after they consume food or products containing alpha-gal, the CDC states.
While evidence suggests that AGS is primarily associated with the bite of a lone star tick in the U.S., other kinds of ticks have not been ruled out. Localities in the southern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic regions of the country identified more people who tested positive.
More:What is alpha-gal syndrome? What to know about the disease that makes you allergic to meat
“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, epidemiologist and lead author of one of the papers, in a statement.
“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.”
“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 of both papers, in a statement.
“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.”
More:It’s time for ticks. What can you do to keep yourself safe and when should you be worried.
Symptoms of AGS
Symptoms commonly appear 2-6 hours after eating food or other exposure to products containing alpha-gal and may include:
- Hives or itchy rash
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Diarrhea or severe stomach pain
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Drop in blood pressure
- Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids
- Dizziness or faintness
Some patients experience only stomach symptoms. The American Gastroenterological Association says people with unexplained diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain should be tested for the syndrome. Doctors recommend those who have the allergy to change their diet, carry epinephrine and avoid tick bites.
While no deaths from the disease have been confirmed, Dr. Salzer told the New York Times that unlike some other tick-borne diseases, alpha-gal syndrome has no treatment or cure and stressed the importance of preventing tick bites to avoid tick-borne diseases.
“Alpha-gal syndrome can be a lifelong condition,” Dr. Salzer told NYT. “It definitely needs to be a part of the conversation of why tick prevention is so important for public health.”
More:How to remove a tick from a dog: Checking your pet, signs of tick-borne illness and bites
