A mysterious tick-borne illness, known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), is spreading across America, leaving experts alarmed. The condition causes a severe allergic reaction to red meat and other animal products, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
The lone star tick, commonly found in the southeastern US, is primarily responsible for AGS. However, its range is expanding northward as temperatures rise, putting millions more Americans at risk. According to the CDC, approximately 110,000 cases have been documented since 2010, but the true number could be as high as 450,000 due to underreporting and misdiagnoses.
Symptoms of AGS can appear anywhere from two to six hours after consuming meat and may include hives, an itchy rash, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach pain, and swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids. In severe cases, a person’s blood pressure can drop dangerously low, and their heart rate can increase rapidly.
Experts warn that AGS may not show symptoms immediately, making it challenging to link the allergy to a tick bite. However, recent case studies have shown that even minor exposures to mammalian meat fumes can trigger severe reactions in some individuals.
To prevent AGS, experts recommend checking for ticks after spending time outdoors and quickly removing any attached ticks. They also stress the importance of increased surveillance of AGS and tracking the types of ticks that transmit the condition.
As temperatures continue to rise, experts predict that AGS will spread rapidly, potentially affecting millions of people across the US. With its adaptive nature and increasing presence in new areas, it’s essential for Americans to be aware of this ticking time bomb and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from this growing health threat.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14868853/Experts-sound-alarm-rise-mysterious-tick-borne-illness-spreading-America.html