24-05-2025
Alpha Gal Syndrome on the rise in the Mountain State
GHENT, WV (WVNS) — A different kind of tickborne disease is on the rise in West Virginia.
Alpha Gal Syndrome cases are becoming more and more common as awareness spreads and people begin to get the proper diagnosis.
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There are a variety of tickborne diseases that affect people in the Mountain State, and you have probably heard of most of them.
One of the most common is Lyme disease, which is spread by deer ticks.
However, one you may not know much about, although it can have lifelong consequences, is Alpha Gal Syndrome.
Dr. Zonaira Gul, an Infectious Disease Consultant for Beckley Appalachian Regional Healthcare, said Alpha Gal Syndrome is spread by a specific molecule.
'It's not found in primates, like humans and chimpanzees. So, when mammals, when the tick transmits this molecule to human beings and the human beings, you know, the people eat red meat, suppose at dinner time people eat red meat, and after a few hours, they start to develop allergic reaction,' said Dr. Gul.
Dr. Gul said unlike a typical food allergy, the Alpha Gal reaction can take a few hours to show symptoms.
But when it does, the symptoms are similar to a normal food allergy.
You will experience itching, rashes, nausea, and in severe cases, shortness of breath.
Dr. Gul said the allergy does not just extend to beef, the most commonly thought of red meat, either.
'Unfortunately, people who have, who eventually develop this allergy, they are advised to completely avoid meat, red meat. From beef, you know, avoid beef, lamb, pork meat, and products actually acquired from these mammals, so like, milk.' said Dr. Gul.
Dr. Gul said gelatin is another product to be avoided if the reaction is especially severe.
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She said prevention is the only way to avoid Alpha Gal Syndrome as currently there is no cure for this disease.
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