Alpha‑gal antibodies found in many adults across several states
A new CDC report shows that many adults in parts of the South and Midwest carry antibodies linked to alpha‑gal, the tick-related meat allergy.
Researchers tested leftover blood samples from 3,000 adults in ten states and found especially high rates in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia.
About one in four adults were positive in those states, and Arkansas was closer to one in three. These higher rates match areas where lone star ticks are well established and where suspected alpha‑gal cases have already been reported.
Having these antibodies does not mean someone has the allergy. Not all people with antibodies develop alpha‑gal syndrome, which can cause delayed reactions after eating beef, pork, dairy, or gelatin.
The findings suggest that sensitization is common in areas where lone star ticks are established. The CDC says clearer case definitions and better clinician education can help ensure true alpha‑gal syndrome cases are recognized without overcounting people who are sensitized but symptom‑free.
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