Tick-Borne Red Meat Allergy Proves Fatal in First Documented Case

Breaking News: Red Meat Allergy Caused by Ticks Kills N.J. Man A 47-year-old airplane pilot in New Jersey has become the first documented case of death from alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy caused by tick bites. Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine published a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology detailing the man's tragic death. The victim fell ill four hours after eating a hamburger at a barbecue in 2024, and his son found him unconscious on the floor of a bathroom surrounded by vomit. He was declared dead at a hospital, with the autopsy citing a "sudden unexplained death." The man had experienced similar symptoms two weeks prior, after eating a steak dinner, which he described as abdominal discomfort, writhing in pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. He told his son, "I thought I was going to die," but he and his wife chose not to consult a doctor, unsure of how to explain his symptoms. The immediate impact of this case is a heightened awareness of the potential dangers of alpha-gal syndrome. "This is a wake-up call for people who have been bitten by ticks, especially those who live in areas where lone star ticks are common," says Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "We urge people to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience any unusual reactions after eating red meat." Alpha-gal syndrome is caused by an allergic reaction to a sugar molecule found in red meat, which is triggered by the bite of a lone star tick. This tick is common in the eastern and midwestern United States, and its bite can cause a range of symptoms, from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. As researchers continue to study alpha-gal syndrome, they recommend that people take precautions to prevent tick bites, such as wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent when outdoors. If you experience any symptoms after eating red meat, seek medical attention immediately.