Alpha-gal syndrome from Lone Star tick bites "an emerging public health concern in Massachusetts"

Key Points:

• Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne illness causing serious meat and dairy allergies, is becoming a growing public health concern in Massachusetts due to the northward spread of the Lone Star tick, driven by climate change and landscape shifts.
• Established populations of Lone Star ticks have been found on the Islands and in Barnstable County, with cases of alpha-gal syndrome "exploding" on Martha's Vineyard, where over 500 positive tests were reported in 2024.
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has started tracking alpha-gal syndrome as a reportable condition to better educate healthcare providers and the public about this emerging threat.
• Tick prevention measures recommended include checking pets with veterinarians for tick prevention, performing tick checks after outdoor activities, showering, and using high heat to dry clothes to reduce tick exposure.
• Homeowners are urged to reduce tick habitats by cleaning yards, creating mulch barriers between lawns and wooded areas, and considering professional insect control treatments, as demand for tick control services has surged in recent years.