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alpha-gal syndrome: public health agency of canada anticipating tick species expansion after cdc warning

alpha-gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy, is a potentially life-threatening reaction to a particular carbohydrate (alpha-gal) found in most red meat, dairy and some pharmaceuticals.

by emma jones

published jul 28, 2023

last updated jul 31, 2023

3 minute read

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3 minute read

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alpha-gal syndrome: cdc warns of rise in red meat allergy from ticks

while alpha-gal syndrome is associated with a tick bite, patients may not notice symptoms until after they consume meat or dairy products, triggering the allergic reaction. getty

after the cdc issued an alarming report warning that cases of alpha-gal syndrome (ags) are on the rise in the unites states, the public health agency of canada says the risk of contracting the condition from the lone star tick in canada is still “very low.” ags, also known as red meat allergy, is a potentially life-threatening reaction to a particular carbohydrate (alpha-gal) found in most mammalian tissue and related products like dairy and some pharmaceuticals. the condition is thought to be primarily caused when a person is bitten by a tick carrying alpha-gal, which then triggers an immune system response. the tick most often associated with the condition is the lone star tick, a notably aggressive species established across the east, southeast, and midwest united states.

and while the condition has also been reported in the great white north, in a statement to healthing, representatives for the public health agency of canada (phac) confirmed the risk of developing the condition from a lone star tick bite while in canada is still very low. however, the tick’s habitat is expanding northward and could potentially expand into canada, similar to how ticks carrying lyme disease expanded their habitat in the early 2000s.

“in anticipation of the possible expansion of the lone star tick’s range into canada, a risk modelling approach has been developed to assess where the tick could become established in canada now, and in the future as the climate warms,” the organization writes. “… passive surveillance for ticks is testing for pathogens and collecting information on ticks found on people and pets to assist in understanding where the ticks are being found in canada.”

lone-start ticks, getting their name from a distinct white spot on the back of the females, have been reported throughout canada. however, phac says these ticks were likely carried into canada by migratory birds and were unable to set up established populations.

in the report issued at the end of july, the u.s. centre for disease control has warned “ags cases in the united states has (sic) increased substantially since 2010.” the cdc estimates there are more than 110,000 suspected cases in the u.s. from the years 2010-2022, but because ags cases are not nationally notifiable to the cdc, the case count could be much higher — as high as 450,000 by some estimates.

recognizing signs of alpha-gal syndrome

while cases of ags are on the rise, the cdc also noted clinical knowledge of the condition is low — with 42 per cent of the u.s. clinicians surveyed not aware of ags, and another 35% “not confident in their ability to diagnose or manage ags patients.”

bites from a lone star tick may cause irritation to the skin, leading to redness and discomfort, according to phac. their saliva may also cause southern tick-associated rash illness, an expanding, bull’s-eye like lesion accompanied by headache, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pains.

while the condition is associated with a tick bite, patients may not notice symptoms until after they consume meat or dairy products, triggering the allergic reaction. two to six hours after consuming meat, signs of a reaction may include developing hives, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness and/or facial swelling. anaphalyxis, a life-threatening reaction where the airway swells shut, may also occur.

there is no cure for ags. instead, patients will likely need to work with an allergist to determine what foods they should avoid. this most often includes mammalian meat — like beef, pork, lamb, venison — and may also be expanded to include dairy products.

update 2023-07-31: this article was updated to include information from a statement provided by the public health agency of canada

emma jones is a multimedia editor with healthing. you can reach her at emjones@postmedia.com or on instagram and twitter @jonesyjourn.

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alpha-gal syndrome: public health agency of canada anticipating tick species expansion after cdc warning

alpha-gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy, is a potentially life-threatening reaction to a particular carbohydrate (alpha-gal) found in most red meat, dairy and some pharmaceuticals.

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recognizing signs of alpha-gal syndrome

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alpha-gal syndrome: public health agency of canada anticipating tick species expansion after cdc warning

alpha-gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy, is a potentially life-threatening reaction to a particular carbohydrate (alpha-gal) found in most red meat, dairy and some pharmaceuticals.

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