Thanksgiving is almost here. And as if you didn't have enough stress in your life right now, there is a new illness making the headlines.
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As reported by NPR, it was confirmed several weeks ago that a middle-aged pilot in New Jersey became ill after eating a steak dinner. He experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting. The pilot and his wife did not seek medical attention, even though he had experienced some unusual symptoms.
Two weeks later, after eating a hamburger at a barbecue, he became seriously ill within several hours. His son found him on the floor of a bathroom surrounded by vomit. The hospital declared him dead, and the autopsy listed the cause as a "sudden unexplained death."
A blood sample taken after the pilot's death revealed he had an allergic reaction. Scientists linked this reaction to bites he had received on his ankles before becoming ill. These bites left small, itchy bumps and were believed to be from lone star tick larvae, which can cause alpha-gal syndrome. The pilot is believed to be the first person to die from the disease.
I Don't Think I've Heard of Alpha-Gal Syndrome. What Is It?
This illness is spread by ticks and causes people to become allergic to red meat. Alpha-gal is a sugar found in animals like cows and pigs, and in some ticks. Humans do not have this sugar. When it enters the body, it can cause itchy bumps or a serious allergic reaction a few hours after eating red meat.
A 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 42% of surveyed health care providers had heard of alpha-gal syndrome. The CDC also said over 110,000 possible cases were reported between 2010 and 2022. It is likely there were more because people may not know about the illness.
What Does This Have To Do With Thanksgiving?
The good news is that, according to the CDC, chicken, turkey, fish, and other non-mammalian meats do not contain alpha-gal, so if you are making a Butterball for your family, you should be fine.
However, products made or cooked with the fat of the mammal, including gelatin, gravy, and butter, can cause an allergic reaction in those with alpha-gal syndrome.
There is no cure for alpha-gal syndrome, according to Yale Medicine. But the number of antibodies—disease fighters—in your body can go down as time passes. This means some people might be able to eat meat again later without having a reaction.
If you suspect you have alpha-gal syndrome, visit a doctor. Blood tests for the disease are available.
