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NewsTelemundo 51 Miami – MainJuly 2, 2026Miami-Dade

New CDC Study: Alpha-gal Syndrome Risk Higher Than Previously Thought

A new CDC study indicates that nearly 25% of adults in five states have signs of exposure to the tick-borne molecule that causes alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat. Researchers emphasize that while exposure is common, it does not guarantee the development of the syndrome, though it may increase future risk.

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Why It Matters

Residents in states with high populations of Lone Star ticks face a higher risk of developing a lifelong red meat allergy, yet the condition is not currently tracked by the National s Surveillance System.

Key Facts

  • A new CDC study found that approximately 24% of adults in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia have antibodies against the alpha-gal molecule.
  • The study analyzed blood samples from 3,000 adults across 10 states collected between November 2024 and April 2025.
  • Alpha-gal syndrome is triggered by the bite of ticks, primarily the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), which carry a sugar molecule from mammals.
  • The presence of antibodies indicates exposure to the molecule but does not confirm the presence of the syndrome or the need for clinical testing.
  • Alpha-gal syndrome is currently not included in the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, meaning states are not required to report cases.
  • Symptoms of the syndrome include hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, respiratory issues, and anaphylaxis.
  • Symptoms often appear hours after eating red meat, making the condition difficult to diagnose.
  • Once developed, alpha-gal syndrome is a lifelong condition.
  • Other tick species, including black-legged, Cayenne, and Asian longhorned ticks, may also transmit the molecule.
  • The geographic range of the syndrome is expanding toward the Great Lakes and Oklahoma due to warmer winters and deer migration patterns.

Who's Mentioned

organizationAlpha-Gal Alliance Action Fund“Non-profit organization advocating for awareness of the syndrome.”personEleanor Saunders“Lead author of the study and infectious disease specialist at UNC Chapel Hill.”other450,000“Previous CDC estimate of people in the US with alpha-gal syndrome.”organizationCDC“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted the research.”personSharon Forsyth“Executive Director of the Alpha-Gal Alliance Action Fund.”personScott Commins“Co-author of the study and allergy/immunology specialist at UNC Chapel Hill.”other3,000“Number of adults sampled in the study.”