It Begins as a Tick Bite and Can Be Devastating. And It’s Spreading.

The New York Times • March 25, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy to red meat, has grown from a rare condition to a significant health concern, with the CDC estimating up to 450,000 cases in the U.S. over the past 15 years.
Recent testing of blood donors in 10 states revealed that nearly 30% of samples in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri contained alpha-gal antibodies, indicating widespread exposure even if symptoms are not always present.
The syndrome was first identified about two decades ago by Dr. Scott Commins, who described the prevalence and potential severity of the condition as “mind-blowing.”
New research has linked alpha-gal syndrome to multiple deaths, including a first documented fatality last fall and at least three additional suspected cases, highlighting the disease's potentially lethal impact.