New Jersey Man's Death Linked to Rare Meat Allergy Triggered by Tick Bite, Researchers Say
A tragic death in New Jersey has been linked to a rare meat allergy triggered by a tick bite, according to researchers. The 47-year-old man died in September 2024 after experiencing severe abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting following a barbecue where he ate hamburger. His wife had initially brushed off his symptoms as minor, but later consulted with doctors who discovered the alarming connection between his death and alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick.
The researchers say that AGS can cause hives, nausea, stomach pain, breathing issues, and swelling, among other symptoms. According to experts, the Lone Star tick bite can lead an individual to develop a sensitivity or allergy to alpha galactose, a carbohydrate found in red meat and dairy products.
In this case, the man's death serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of AGS, which is considered extremely rare. The researchers argue that more public education on the condition is necessary, especially considering the increasing presence of Lone Star ticks in northern states.
"Although this is very, very uncommon – what happened to him is not likely to happen to other people," said Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills with UVA Health. "But they should know about it." Experts stress that if individuals experience abdominal pain or rashes after eating red meat, they should speak with their physicians about the possibility of having been sensitized to alpha galactose.
The incident highlights the importance of taking precautions against tick bites, particularly for those living in areas where Lone Star ticks are common. With warming temperatures and changing seasons, these ticks are becoming increasingly prevalent, posing a growing risk to public health. As Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center, noted, "With the changing seasons, the warming of our climate, these ticks are increasing in their numbers. The potential exposures are increasing."
A tragic death in New Jersey has been linked to a rare meat allergy triggered by a tick bite, according to researchers. The 47-year-old man died in September 2024 after experiencing severe abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting following a barbecue where he ate hamburger. His wife had initially brushed off his symptoms as minor, but later consulted with doctors who discovered the alarming connection between his death and alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick.
The researchers say that AGS can cause hives, nausea, stomach pain, breathing issues, and swelling, among other symptoms. According to experts, the Lone Star tick bite can lead an individual to develop a sensitivity or allergy to alpha galactose, a carbohydrate found in red meat and dairy products.
In this case, the man's death serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of AGS, which is considered extremely rare. The researchers argue that more public education on the condition is necessary, especially considering the increasing presence of Lone Star ticks in northern states.
"Although this is very, very uncommon – what happened to him is not likely to happen to other people," said Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills with UVA Health. "But they should know about it." Experts stress that if individuals experience abdominal pain or rashes after eating red meat, they should speak with their physicians about the possibility of having been sensitized to alpha galactose.
The incident highlights the importance of taking precautions against tick bites, particularly for those living in areas where Lone Star ticks are common. With warming temperatures and changing seasons, these ticks are becoming increasingly prevalent, posing a growing risk to public health. As Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center, noted, "With the changing seasons, the warming of our climate, these ticks are increasing in their numbers. The potential exposures are increasing."
i wish ppl would be more cautious with tick bites tho. dont get me wrong, i love a good burger as much as the next guy but if u r gonna eat red meat, do ur research lol!
, I'm still trying to process this news... a tick bite leading to death from a rare meat allergy? That's like something out of a sci-fi movie! 
Alpha-gal syndrome is super rare, but it's crazy that more people need to be educated about it. I mean, we all love a good BBQ or steak night, but safety first, you know? 
The fact that these ticks are becoming more common due to climate change is just mind-blowing... like, what's next? 
We gotta start taking precautions against tick bites, especially for those living in areas where they're super prevalent. Just a reminder, folks: if you experience any weird symptoms after eating red meat, don't brush it off - talk to your doc ASAP! 
what can we do to raise awareness about this rare allergy? 
tick season is getting worse and i wish people knew how serious it can be 
we should all get checked out after a tick bite and if ur from an area with these ticks, u gotta take precautions lol like wear that silly spray or insect repellent 24/7 
i mean, who knew that alpha-gal syndrome was even a thing? it's like our bodies just react super strongly to certain things and we don't know how to deal with it 
anyway, more public awareness is for sure, people need to know about this stuff so they can protect themselves 
ticks are getting worse because of climate change 
Alpha-gal syndrome is like something straight out of a horror movie. And the fact that it's so rare means people might think they're fine after being bitten or eating certain foods... nope, not good 
. I'm glad researchers are pushing for more public education about this, 'cause someone needs to spread the word 
. As a barbeque fan myself (who loves food, btw 
), I gotta respect my local health officials if they're reminding us to watch out for these tick bites 
We need to spread awareness about this condition ASAP, especially for those living in areas with high tick populations 
. More public education is key, especially now that ticks are becoming more common due to climate change 
I mean, I'm glad we're getting more awareness about alpha-gal syndrome and all, but can't we just be aware of tick season already? Like, make it a thing. A national tick alert system or something. It's not like these guys are trying to be malicious, they just want to eat some burgers 
i mean idk about u but i'm never eating burgers again or drinking milk 
ticks are bad enough without adding a meat allergy to the mix 
but now we know that some things are actually worth taking seriously 
. Anyway, I think it's super important that we're spreading awareness about this condition now more than ever 
The Lone Star tick is like a tiny little monster! 
. It's not like this will happen to most people but still, awareness is key 
. And yeah, take precautions against those nasty ticks especially if you live in areas where they're common 
.
** this is just shocking - I mean a tick bite can lead to death from a meat allergy? it's crazy! the fact that alpha-gal syndrome is so rare and yet its effects can be so severe, like anaphylactic shock or even death, should definitely raise some awareness. i feel bad for the guy who died, his wife shouldn't have brushed off his symptoms and maybe more public education could have helped him get medical attention sooner.
but it's actually making me think that we should be more mindful of the tiny creatures around us - like those pesky Lone Star ticks 
tick bites are so underrated lol, never knew they could lead to a meat allergy but makes total sense now. gotta be more aware of the risks especially during warmer seasons 
my fave celeb, a certain k-pop idol, has been talking about this stuff and it just makes me wanna hug him so tight 
anyway, im all for public awareness and education on this one 
. anyway, the fact that alpha-gal syndrome is so rare makes me appreciate the warning signs even more - if you're experiencing weird stomach issues or rashes after eating meat, definitely get checked out by a doc 
. it's like your body has a superpower to make even the slightest exposure to meat cause a full-blown reaction 