Dr. Scott Commins, a member of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, commented on the death of a 47-year-old man from Alpha-Gal Syndrome in an NBC News story. Dr. Commins studies the tick-bite induced red meat allergy that affects a growing population and describes the biggest risk factors for severe reactions, such as exercise and alcohol, which can increase the absorption of food allergens. The New Jersey pilot exercised and consumed a beer on the day of his death, according to researchers.
Alpha-gal is typically found in the blood of cows, deer, goats, and pigs. When ticks feed on these mammals, the sugar gets into their saliva and can be transmitted to humans through bites. A blood test revealed that the man experienced an allergic reaction and antibodies to a sugar called alpha-gal — a telltale sign of a tick-borne meat allergy.
Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine publicly reported the death after months of investigation, and their findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Their article reports the man started to feel sick a few hours after consuming a hamburger in September 2024. However, his symptoms worsened later that night, and shortly after, he was found unconscious with vomit around him. Researchers suspect this illness can be transmitted through the Lone-Star tick.
Dr. Scott Commins, the William J. Yount Distinguished Professor of Medicine and associate chief for allergy and immunology, says that people can be more at risk for this illness with an increasing population in the U.S. being exposed to the Lone Star tick.