A New Jersey man has become the first individual in the state believed to have died from an allergy to red meat, linked to a tick bite. Researchers have identified this condition as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). The man passed away in September 2024, but the connection to AGS was recognized only recently.
Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome is a sensitivity to alpha-gal, a sugar present in red meat and dairy products. The bite from the Lone Star tick is known to trigger this allergic reaction in certain individuals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AGS symptoms can include:
- Hives
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Swelling
Timeline of Events Leading to Death
The victim, a 47-year-old man, went camping with his family in the summer of 2024. After a day outdoors, they had beef steak for dinner. Within four hours of eating, he experienced severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting for about two hours. Despite feeling somewhat better the next morning, he expressed significant concern about his condition, stating he thought he was going to die. However, he did not seek medical attention at that time.
About two weeks later, the man attended a barbecue where he consumed a hamburger. Approximately four hours post-consumption, he was discovered unconscious in the bathroom, surrounded by vomit. He was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead several hours later.
Postmortem Findings
Initially, his death was ruled a “sudden unexplained death.” However, the man’s wife enlisted a friend in the medical field to evaluate the autopsy report. This led to further investigation into AGS by researchers in Virginia.
Tests conducted on the man’s blood revealed evidence of an allergic reaction to alpha-gal, consistent with fatal anaphylaxis. His wife noted that he had experienced numerous bug bites around his ankles earlier that summer, which were believed to be from Lone Star tick larvae.
Importance of Public Awareness
This incident marks the first documented case where death from anaphylaxis related to AGS occurred several hours after eating mammalian meat. Researchers emphasize the necessity for increased public education on AGS, especially given the rising presence of Lone Star ticks in northern regions. Moreover, they indicate that abdominal pain is not widely recognized as a potential symptom of an allergic reaction, underscoring a need for greater awareness in the community.
