Red‑meat allergy on the rise

As reports of alpha‑gal syndrome (AGS) increase across Missouri, state health officials face a major challenge: Missouri does not currently track cases of the condition. That information gap has prompted lawmakers to introduce legislation that would require diagnostic labs to report confirmed AGS cases to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, providing clearer insight into how widespread the tick‑borne allergy has become.

The bill, introduced in both the House and Senate this session, would add AGS and Lyme disease to the state’s list of noncommunicable diseases that must be reported. Supporters say the change would give Missouri the data needed to guide prevention, education and treatment.

The urgency comes as clinicians are seeing more patients with the red‑meat allergy. The lone star tick, responsible for triggering AGS, is now present in every Missouri county, and experts believe rising tick encounters are driving more diagnoses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 450,000 Americans have AGS, though the real number may be higher. Because symptoms often appear four to six hours after eating red meat or dairy, the allergy frequently goes unrecognized.

“Unlike most allergies, which show up early in life, AGS only develops after a tick bite,” said Bettina Mittendorfer, senior associate dean for research in the University of Missouri School of Medicine. “Someone who has eaten beef their whole life may suddenly react without realizing the cause.”

MU clinicians and scientists are working to advance understanding of the syndrome. Benjamin Casterline, MU immunologist and dermatologist, recently received a research grant to study AGS in Missouri patients. His team is collecting blood samples and symptom histories while analyzing trends across patient demographics.

“There is still a lot we don’t know about alpha‑gal,” Casterline said. “If we can learn more about patients’ blood, genes, gut bacteria and other factors, perhaps we can pinpoint which patients are most at risk for severe symptoms.”

While researchers study the condition, MU Extension is leading public education and support efforts—particularly for agricultural producers, who face higher tick exposure. Extension specialists are offering workshops, providing online resources and sharing practical guidance.

To access MU’s related resources, visit bit.ly/MU_alpha-gal.

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