Tick Exposure May Put More Americans at Risk for Red-Meat Allergy, CDC Finds

A CDC analysis of 3,000 blood samples from 10 states found about 24% of adults in five states with high lone star tick presence have antibodies to alpha-gal, indicating prior tick bites and exposure to the sugar molecule linked to alpha-gal syndrome—a lifelong red-meat allergy that can trigger reactions hours after eating meat. Experts caution that antibodies signal exposure, not a diagnosed condition, but rising tick spread and migration may increase future risk; prevalence estimates vary and not all cases are reported, underscoring the need for more research.