Mysterious, Unexplained Red Meat Allergies Reportedly Explode in Virginia
The CDC has recently issued warnings about an increase in an uncommon red meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). This allergy develops in humans due to a molecule transmitted into the bloodstream by a type of tick called the Lone Star Tick.
According to the CDC, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, a total of 357,119 tests were submitted from households in the United States, representing 295,400 individuals. In the study period, 90,018 (30.5%) individuals tested positive. The number of positive test results rose from 13,371 in 2017 to 18,885 in 2021. Among 233,521 individuals with available geographic data, suspected cases were mainly concentrated in counties within the southern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. These findings underline the increasing emergence of AGS and can assist state and local health agencies in implementing surveillance, targeted public health outreach, and education for healthcare providers in high-risk areas.
Predictions indicate a rise in AGS cases in the United States in the upcoming years. This emphasizes the need for coordinated public health efforts, including 1) educating communities to prevent tick bites and reduce AGS risk, 2) educating healthcare professionals for timely diagnosis and management, and 3) enhancing surveillance to support public health decision-making.
Taking the CDC's reports of increasing AGS cases at face value, the key information is that neither the agency nor any Public Health™ authority has provided a plausible explanation for the sudden surge in cases. Thus, we are left to speculate about the reasons.
Now, health officials in Virginia are raising similar concerns to the CDC.
As reported by Fox News, a concerning public health issue with potentially fatal consequences is on the rise in Virginia, where individuals are testing positive for alpha-gal syndrome.
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a relatively unknown meat allergy acquired through tick bites, with the potential to be life-threatening. Symptoms primarily include hives, angioedema, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, nasal congestion or runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and a drop in blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which issued a warning about AGS last month, state that it can even lead to death.
The disease is known to spread via tick bites, particularly from the lone star tick, which is prevalent in Virginia, as stated by Julia Murphy, a state public health veterinarian from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
“We have a substantial population of lone star ticks here in Virginia, which we believe is a significant factor in the occurrences of alpha-gal and positive test results," she explained, as reported by WSET.
However, this explanation remains inadequate. It is already established that lone star ticks, present in North America for potentially millions of years, transmit the molecule causing AGS. The disease itself, with its usually conspicuous symptoms, has been identifiable and testable for decades. A simple test for the alpha-gal molecule antibody presence is all that's required. Thus, there's no strong argument that it's just more diagnosable now than before.
From my perspective, there are only two plausible scenarios Alpha-gal syndrome isn't more prevalent than before, and this is a campaign of unfounded fears against consuming meat. Or, there could be another environmental factor besides lone star ticks contributing to the occurrence of alpha-gal syndrome.
