Alpha-gal Syndrome: What Beef Producers Need to Know

For cattle producers, spending time outdoors is part of the job. It can also increase exposure to ticks, including the species most commonly associated with Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), also known as the lone star tick.^{1, 2}

AGS is a serious, potentially life-threatening food allergy and can cause allergic reactions to red meat and other products containing alpha-gal.^{1, 3} More than 110,000 suspected cases of AGS were identified between 2010 and 2022.

What is Alpha-gal Syndrome?

Alpha-gal is a molecule found in most mammals, including cows and pigs, as well as in the saliva of some ticks. When a tick bites a person, alpha-gal can be transferred from the tick's saliva into the person's bloodstream. The immune system in some people responds by producing antibodies that can cause an allergic reaction following later exposure to alpha-gal.¹

Foods that may cause a reaction include beef, pork, lamb and venison. Alpha-gal may also be present in dairy products, gelatin made from beef or pork, meat broth and mammal fats such as lard, tallow or suet.

Not everyone bitten by a lone star tick will develop AGS. Symptoms may not develop until weeks or months after a tick bite. Once someone has AGS, symptoms commonly occur two to six hours after contact with products containing alpha-gal.

Symptoms can include hives or an itchy rash; swelling of the lips, throat, tongue or eyelids; nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; heartburn or indigestion; difficulty breathing; dizziness or a drop in blood pressure; and anaphylaxis.

Checkoff-funded Education and Research Efforts

Checkoff-funded efforts are helping producers better understand Alpha-gal Syndrome while staying engaged with the evolving science surrounding the condition.

For producers, that includes educational outreach focused on the risks associated with tick exposure and practical steps to help prevent tick bites. Checkoff-funded educational resources, developed with scientific expertise, are available, as well as outreach through producer-focused channels such as Drovers.

Behind those education efforts, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, scientific affairs team has monitored AGS research for several years and shared insights with other animal-protein research programs. Because AGS can involve beef, pork, dairy and other mammalian products, that collaboration helps identify shared research needs while avoiding duplication of efforts.

The scientific affairs team is also participating in discussions with medical professionals, researchers and food-industry stakeholders to better define research and outreach needs. Those conversations will help inform where future Beef Checkoff efforts can contribute, including potential research and educational resources for nutrition, health and medical professionals.

Why Cattle Producers May Face Greater Risk

Farmers and ranchers face a higher risk of developing AGS because their work often means more time outdoors - walking through thick grass, interacting with livestock and working in wooded areas where ticks may be present.

The lone star tick is the species most often associated with AGS in the U.S., although cases can also occur following bites from other tick species, including the black-legged (or deer) tick and the western blacklegged tick.⁴

Reducing Your Risk Starts with Preventing Tick Bites

Before heading outdoors, producers can take several precautions: treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass when possible and use an EPA-registered insect repellent according to product instructions.

After coming indoors, check clothing and pets for ticks, shower and conduct a thorough tick check. Remove any tick you find as soon as possible and thoroughly clean the bite area.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of AGS should contact a healthcare provider and mention any recent tick bites. To learn more about AGS prevention and symptoms, visit CDC. gov.