MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — While Alpha-gal syndrome may not be exactly new to West Virginia, the Monongalia County Health Department has confirmed the county’s first official case since the condition became a reportable disease in June, but what exactly does this mean for residents across the state?
NewsNation affiliate WBOY spoke with Dr. Brian Huggins from the Monongalia County Health Department to learn more about this latest illness popping up throughout the state.
“Alpha-gal syndrome is the newest tick disease on the block. Basically, it is a carbohydrate that the tick will have in its mouth, and when it bites you, it can actually cause you to become allergic to meat and then all mammal products,” Huggins said.
Reactions can occur from consuming types of red meat, including beef, pork, venison and rabbit, as well as dairy products, gelatin or any other meat-based products. The reactions are not exclusive to specifically consuming food, either. Certain products, such as lipsticks that contain animal products, could also cause an allergic reaction for those with Alpha-gal syndrome.
The disease can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, and even anaphylaxis upon consuming meat products, but the severity of the reactions, similarly to other common food allergies, varies on a case-by-case basis.
Huggins explained that Alpha-gal syndrome really isn’t much different than typical food allergies, and that the biggest difference is how one acquires it.
“It really isn’t a lot different than people that have a peanut allergy or, say, celiac disease for gluten. It’s just people [don’t] naturally have this until you get this tick bite,” Huggins said.
Lone star ticks, the culprits responsible for transmitting the disease, have been increasing in population in West Virginia. Compared to deer ticks, which are known carriers of Lyme disease, lone star ticks are larger and have a distinct white spot on their backs.
Huggins explained that while the disease may be more commonly found and transmitted by lone star ticks, several other ticks have the potential to carry and transmit the disease as well.
When compared to Lyme Disease and other tick-related illnesses, Alpha-gal syndrome is rather new. Huggins told WBOY that the disease really wasn’t discovered until the early 2000s and that there is still a lot of research being done on it.
Whenever it comes to prevention, Huggins explained that the best method is, of course, not getting bitten by a tick, but he did offer other sources of prevention that residents can implement.
“There is a chemical that you can put in your clothing called Permethrin, and you can actually soak your clothes in it. The military uses it, they put it in their uniforms, and permethrin, when sprayed on the clothes, can actually survive multiple washes,” Huggins said.
Huggins also gave some natural methods that people can utilize to help keep ticks out of their yard, while also stocking up their spice cabinet or keeping their garden pretty at the same time.
“Some people really want a natural deterrent, and there is some studies with lemon oils and things like that,” Huggins said. “One other thing that we get asked a lot is what can they do to keep ticks out of my yard, […] There are actually several plants that you can actually put in your yard, which are actually going to help prevent ticks from coming into the yard. Things like mints, things like sage, a lot of things that you would actually cook with that are very fragrant,” Huggins said.
The natural ways of prevention don’t stop there, however. Huggins explained that chrysanthemums are actually another thing that you can plant in your yard that are tick-averse.
One final important point Huggins made was that following a bite, it could take weeks or even months for symptoms to develop.
“It can develop weeks to months after the tick bite, so this is not something that you’re going to necessarily get bit by a tick, and within a few days you’re going to develop these symptoms,” Huggins said.
The West Virginia Department of Health recently started requiring health departments to report cases of Alpha-gal syndrome. Those who think they may have been bitten should contact their local health department as soon as possible.