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Rare Tick Bite Allergy Blamed for Shocking New Jersey Death
14 Nov
Summary
- First documented fatality from rare tick-bite complication
- Victim experienced severe allergic reaction hours after eating meat
- Condition often goes undiagnosed, putting more Americans at risk
On November 14, 2025, a tragic case in New Jersey has shed new light on the growing threat of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a little-known but rapidly emerging health issue. In the summer of 2024, a 47-year-old father and airline pilot collapsed and died in his home, despite prolonged resuscitation efforts.
An autopsy initially found no clear cause of death, labeling it "sudden and unexplained." However, further investigation by a pediatrician friend and a leading allergist revealed the shocking truth: the man had died from a severe allergic reaction to red meat, triggered by a tick bite he had suffered weeks earlier.
AGS is caused when the immune system becomes sensitive to a sugar found in mammal cells, leading to symptoms like stomach pain and vomiting that appear hours after eating meat. Experts warn that the spread of the lone star tick, driven by climate change and deer population growth, means more Americans may unknowingly develop this allergy.
The New Jersey man's case illustrates the challenges of diagnosing AGS, as over 40% of physicians are unaware of the condition. With the CDC estimating up to 450,000 Americans may have AGS, this tragic fatality serves as a wake-up call about the growing public health threat posed by tick-borne illnesses.
