Illinois Parks Among U.S. Tick-Bite Risk Hotspots as Alpha-Gal Syndrome Cases Rise

Two Illinois state parks—Starved Rock and Mississippi Palisades—rank among the highest U.S. tick-borne illness risk sites per World Atlas, due to dense woods and heavy visitation. Health experts warn of a rising alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy linked to bites from the lone star tick; CDC estimates over 110,000 suspected AGS cases (2010–2022) with up to about 450,000 affected when underreporting is considered, and Illinois health officials note increasing case reports as awareness grows.