'If only people knew what a tick could do' - the deadly meat allergy caused by tick bites
Mammalian meat allergy is a growing problem along Australia's east coast - and it's caused by tick bites.
Myfanwy Webb reflects on her son Jeremy's birthday party five years ago, realizing it could have been a chance to prevent his life-threatening meat allergy. Jeremy, 15 at the time, experienced breathing difficulties after a restaurant meal, but was mistakenly diagnosed with asthma and sent home. He later died from anaphylaxis triggered by a beef sausage during a camping trip.
Webb now regrets not seeking more extensive testing, which might have revealed the true cause. Diagnosed cases of the condition, known as mammalian meat allergy (MMA) or alpha-gal syndrome, have surged since its discovery in 2007. MMA is caused by tick bites, specifically from the eastern paralysis tick on Australia's east coast and the lone star tick in the US.
Researchers suggest increased tick contact, population growth, and climate factors contribute to MMA hotspots. Diagnosing MMA can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and factors like meat type, cooking method, and external influences like alcohol or exercise. Despite growing awareness, the exact number of MMA cases remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to over 5,000 in Australia.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
