A recent CDC study sheds light on an emerging concern in tick-borne diseases: the potential role of black-legged ticks in causing alpha-gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy. While this allergy has primarily been linked to bites from lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), this study confirmed a case in Maine where a woman developed red meat allergy symptoms after a bite from an Ixodes scapularis (black-legged) tick.
This discovery prompted Maine health officials to revisit earlier reports, leading them to identify 57 cases of the allergy, including 23 confirmed cases, from 2014–2023. These findings suggest that the allergy may be more widespread than previously thought, potentially linked to other tick species and warranting further investigation.
As tick populations continue to spread across the U.S., healthcare providers and public health officials must stay informed about the potential risks of this allergy beyond traditional lone star tick areas.
For more details, you can read an article about the report at News Medical or check out the original CDC publication for in-depth findings.
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