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Pilot's Fatal Allergy: Red Meat Kills After Tick Bite
20 Nov
Summary
- A pilot died from a sudden red meat allergy after a tick bite.
- Alpha-gal syndrome, triggered by tick bites, caused the death.
- The condition is still largely unknown to many physicians.
A seemingly healthy JetBlue pilot, Brian Waitzel, died unexpectedly in September 2024, with the cause later determined to be alpha-gal syndrome. This rare condition, transmitted by tick bites, induces a severe allergy to red meat. Waitzel experienced sudden, intense symptoms hours after a barbecue, leading to his tragic passing despite his son's CPR efforts.
His wife, Pieper Waitzel, and a family friend connected his episodes of severe illness to prior red meat consumption, recalling a camping trip where he experienced similar symptoms after eating steak. Waitzel had sustained what were believed to be chigger bites, a common vector for alpha-gal syndrome, earlier in the year.
Waitzel's death is the first confirmed fatality linked to alpha-gal syndrome, prompting researchers to urge greater awareness. They note that many physicians are unaware of the condition, and increasing tick exposure due to rising deer populations could lead to more cases.
