Increase of ticks that cause meat allergy in US due to climate crisis

10 months ago

Lone star ticks are spreading across the US due to rising temperatures from climate change.
These ticks cause alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy that can lead to severe reactions like hives and heart attacks.
Alpha-gal cases have surged from a few dozen in 2009 to an estimated 450,000 today.
The allergy is triggered by a sugar molecule found in mammals, not a pathogen, and symptoms can appear hours after consuming meat.
Ticks are becoming more aggressive and adaptable, with their range expanding to cover the eastern half of the US.
Other tick-borne diseases like Powassan virus, Babesia, and Lyme disease are also on the rise.
There is a lack of awareness and funding for research and treatment of tick-borne illnesses.
People with alpha-gal must avoid mammalian products, including dairy and certain everyday items like toothpaste.
Support groups for alpha-gal sufferers are growing rapidly as more people are diagnosed.
The spread of ticks is exacerbated by urban development encroaching on natural habitats and increasing deer populations.

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