New research from the University of Virginia has confirmed the nation’s first recorded death linked to Alpha-Gal, the tick-borne allergy to red meat.
The case began as a medical mystery. A healthy 47-year-old New Jersey father suddenly collapsed after a backyard cookout, and no one initially knew the cause. But UVA doctors later determined that what happened to him could threaten anyone who spends significant time outdoors. As tick populations grow, experts warn that more people are becoming vulnerable.
Researchers traced his death to Alpha-Gal Syndrome — often called the “meat allergy” — which is triggered by a bite from the Lone Star tick. The man had eaten a hamburger just 37 minutes before collapsing. Blood tests later revealed an extreme allergic reaction. One UVA researcher noted his tryptase level, an enzyme released during an allergic response, measured 2000 — far beyond the typical range for Alpha-Gal patients.
“The highest I’ve ever seen in a patient who survived was 90,” said Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, British allergy researcher and director of UVA’s Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. “Something catastrophic happens at the end, and we don’t yet understand it.”
Platts-Mills, who helped discover Alpha-Gal, emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs. Severe stomach pain occurring three to five hours after eating beef, pork, or lamb should be treated as a potential anaphylactic emergency.
Nanci Bell, diagnosed with Alpha-Gal in 2023, completed the SAAT treatment and is now in remission.
“It saddens me because the SAAT treatment is not known enough,” Bell said.
Dr. Cheryl Hanly, a chiropractor and acupuncturist who has treated dozens of Alpha-Gal patients with the SAAT method, said that misdiagnosis remains a risk when providers do not fully understand the condition or fail to follow proper protocol.
“It has probably taken more lives than we know about because of the anaphylaxis,” Hanly said.
Shenna Shotwell of Creedmoor Wellness added that patients should consult the list of certified SAAT practitioners to ensure they receive proper treatment.
Experts warn that even patients in remission — especially those who have experienced anaphylaxis — should avoid red meat permanently. They also note that the allergy can be triggered by more than food, including grill fumes and animal-based products such as pet food or even mascara. Some patients are able to reintroduce clean, grass-fed beef, but only under careful guidance.
UVA researchers expect Alpha-Gal cases to continue rising nationwide. They urge anyone who experiences unusual reactions after eating red meat to get tested and seek out a provider familiar with the allergy.
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