Pennsylvania health officials are stepping up efforts to monitor a growing tick-related illness that can trigger dangerous allergic reactions to red meat.
The condition, known as alpha-gal syndrome, is most commonly associated with bites from the lone star tick. Health officials say about 600 Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the condition over the past two years through voluntary reporting, with roughly 300 new cases identified annually since 2024.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health began asking testing laboratories in February to voluntarily report positive alpha-gal syndrome cases as officials try to establish a clearer understanding of how widespread the condition may be.
Alpha-gal syndrome develops when a tick bite exposes a person to a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, triggering the immune system to react to foods such as beef, pork, lamb, dairy products, and gelatin.
In severe cases, the allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction. Researchers last year linked the first documented death from alpha-gal syndrome to a New Jersey man who suffered a fatal reaction after eating a hamburger.
While lone star ticks historically were found mostly in southern states, their range has expanded northward because of climate change, forest regrowth, and increasing deer populations. Lone star ticks have been identified in several Pennsylvania counties since 2011, though officials say populations remain relatively low.
Researchers now believe other ticks, including Pennsylvania’s common black-legged deer tick, may also trigger the syndrome.
Pennsylvania regularly ranks among the nation’s leaders in tick-borne illnesses and leads the country in reported Lyme disease cases.
Health experts recommend treating clothing with permethrin, using insect repellent, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and examining pets for ticks as well.
Source: Phila Inquirer