Scientists Identify First Documented Case of a Human Death Caused by Meat Allergy

Scientists have reported what is likely the first documented case of a human death caused by a meat allergy that develops after tick bites. The condition is known as alpha-gal syndrome, associated with bites from the lone star tick, and was first described in 2011.

According to experts, more than one hundred thousand Americans have developed this allergy since 2010, but until now, no cases had been recorded in which it directly led to a person’s death following the consumption of meat.

A paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology describes the case of a 47-year-old pilot from New Jersey who died last year. In the summer of 2024, he went camping with his family, where he ate a steak late in the evening — unusual for him, as he rarely consumed red meat. During the night, he suddenly developed severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, but by morning his condition improved, and he was even able to hike several kilometers.

Two weeks later, at home, the man attended a barbecue and ate a hamburger. About four hours later, he suddenly became extremely ill. His son later found him unconscious, and despite emergency medical assistance, he could not be saved. Blood tests showed signs of alpha-gal syndrome. Researchers believe tick bites were the cause: the man's wife recalled that earlier that summer he had had 12–13 “chigger-like bites” around his ankles. Such bites are sometimes confused with tick larvae bites, which makes the researchers’ hypothesis plausible.

Symptoms of the syndrome may include hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, dizziness, swelling of the lips and throat, and difficulty breathing. Unlike most food allergies, the reaction does not occur immediately but several hours later, which is why many people take a long time to understand what exactly is causing their symptoms.

Scientists view this case as a tragedy that could have been prevented with broader awareness. As the range of the lone star tick expands and human–tick encounters become more frequent, the issue is becoming increasingly important, and doctors urge people to pay attention to any unusual reactions after consuming red meat.

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