Positive alpha-gal syndrome tests are on the rise in Virginia, according to health officials, posing a threat to public health with potentially fatal consequences.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an uncommon meat allergy that is transmitted by tick infections and can be fatal.
In accordance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that released a warning about the syndrome last month, it predominantly causes hives, angioedema, indigestion, diarrhea, congested or runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and a decrease in blood pressure, as well as can even cause death.
Alpha-Gal Syndrome Is Transmitted Through Tick Saliva
As stated by Julia Murphy, a state public health veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the disease is transmitted through tick infections, specifically from the lone star tick, which is common in Virginia.
AGS spreads through the tick’s saliva, as opposed to other tick-borne diseases that require the tick to remain affixed to its host for hours.
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AGS Referred as Red-Meat Allergy
In accordance with the Virginia Department of Health, a tick’s saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which it injects into a person’s body when it bites.
Those who contract the allergy – possibly throughout a summer or fall vacation when ticks are more active – must avoid eating anything containing the alpha-gal sugar molecule because it causes allergies to high-fat meats (mainly pork, beef, rabbits, lamb, or venison) as well as goods derived from mammals (such as protein powders, dairy goods, and gelatin).
Due to its association with tick infections and red meat, AGS is also referred to as the “red-meat allergy” as well as the “tick bite meat allergy.”
The CDC stated in July that AGS is an emergent public health concern because an alpha-gal allergy, like other food allergies, can be fatal.
In the words of Murphy, the best method to avoid contracting Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites in the first place. She recommends donning light colors when outdoors to make tick easier to spot, using the proper sprays, and performing a self-examination upon returning indoors.
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