WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new actions in late May to combat alpha-gal syndrome and other tick-borne illnesses. The move comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 500,000 Americans are living with the condition, though new evidence suggests the true number may be higher.
Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick-borne illness that can cause a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat and dairy. It is caused by a sugar molecule transmitted through a tick bite. The condition is most commonly associated with the lone star tick in the U.S., though a few other tick species can also carry the agent responsible.
Lone star ticks are considered very aggressive, and adult females have a characteristic white dot, or “lone star,” on their back. These ticks are primarily found in the southern, eastern, and central regions of the U.S., where the majority of alpha-gal syndrome cases have originated. However, lone star ticks are now spreading north and west across the country.
Not all bites from an infected tick result in alpha-gal syndrome, and some people with the condition may never show symptoms. The illness is known for causing a delayed anaphylactic reaction and was first identified in the U.S. in 2007. “The CDC expanded its case definition to include some additional signs and symptoms for alpha-gal syndrome, which, along with any of those expansions, will increase the number of people that are diagnosed,” said Will Miller, a wildlife biologist.