Potentially life-threatening health scare on the rise in Virginia as Department of Health, CDC issue warning

A public health concern with doubtlessly lethal penalties is on the rise in Virginia, health officers stated, as persons are testing optimistic for Alpha-Gal syndrome.

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a little-known meat allergy that’s contracted by way of tick bites and may be life-threatening. It primarily causes hives, angioedema, upset abdomen, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nostril, sneezing, complications and a drop in blood stress, however may even trigger demise, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which issued a warning about the syndrome final month.

It is understood to unfold by way of tick bites, particularly from the lone star tick, which is prevalent in Virginia, based on Julia Murphy, a state public health veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

“We do have a lot of lone star ticks here in Virginia, so we think that’s driving a lot of what we are seeing in Virginia when it comes to Alpha-Gal and people testing positive for alpha-gal,” she stated, based on WSET.

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Unlike different ailments unfold by way of tick bites – which require the tick to stay hooked up to a human for hours – AGS is transmitted by way of the tick’s saliva.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, a tick carries a sugar molecule referred to as alpha-gal in its saliva and injects it into a person’s physique by biting it.

“The tick’s saliva prompts an immune response from the human body to develop antibodies in an attempt to combat the foreign substance. However, now the immune system has a difficult time determining whether or not the alpha-gal carbohydrate floating around in your blood is from the tick or from the burger you just ate, potentially resulting in an allergic reaction,” the VDH stated.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, a tick carries a sugar molecule referred to as alpha-gal in its saliva and injects it into a person’s physique by biting it. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service through Getty Images)

Those who contract the allergy – maybe throughout a summer season or fall trip as ticks turn out to be extra lively in hotter climate – should keep away from consuming something with the alpha-gal sugar molecule in it as it triggers allergy symptoms to sure sorts of meats excessive in fats (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison) or merchandise constructed from mammals (together with protein powders, dairy merchandise, and gelatin).

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Certain drugs, together with the most cancers drug Cetuximab, may also trigger an allergic response.

Ticks turn out to be extra lively in hotter climate. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Symptoms can present roughly 4 to eight hours after consuming pink meat.

“Once you have alpha-gal, your future is somewhat uncertain in regard to the kind of restrictions you might have and what you can eat and what other things you can take in orally such as medications and such,” Murphy stated.

Due to its reference to tick bites and pink meat, AGS can be identified as the “red-meat allergy” or the “tick bite meat allergy.”

The CDC stated in July that AGS was an rising public health concern as, like different meals allergy symptoms, an alpha-gal allergy may be life-threatening.

Due to its reference to tick bites and pink meat, AGS can be identified as the “red-meat allergy” or the “tick bite meat allergy.” (Image Point FR/NIH/NIAID/BSIP //Universal Images Group through Getty Images)

According to Murphy, the greatest strategy to keep away from getting the syndrome is to keep away from getting bitten by a tick in the first place. She recommends carrying mild colours when outside in order to simply spot ticks, use the appropriate sprays, and verify your self whenever you get again inside.

The CDC has solely been conscious of alpha-gal Syndrome since 2008. Currently, there isn’t a remedy or remedy. (Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald through Getty Images)

The CDC has solely been conscious of alpha-gal Syndrome since 2008. Currently, there isn’t a remedy or remedy.

Henrico County health officers urge individuals to stay additional vigilant in hotter months and to keep away from wooded and bushy areas with tall grass. People also needs to use repellents that include 20 to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on uncovered pores and skin and clothes for defense or different merchandise that include permethrin on clothes, they stated.

Fox News’ Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.