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Alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS, is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic condition that can occur after a tick bite. The lone star tick is most associated with AGS, but scientists are still researching to see if other ticks might spread it in the U.S., as well. After getting bitten, people develop an allergy to alpha-gal, a molecule that’s found in most mammals. It can cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock, and most people with AGS are advised not to eat the meat of mammals, like beef, pork, lamb, venison, or rabbit. People with AGS may also be sensitive to foods made with gelatin, lard, or other mammal byproducts, and though milk products can contain alpha-gal, most people with AGS can tolerate milk. Throughout the U.S. and the world, the range and season for ticks is spreading as climate change shortens the winters and makes more areas habitable for them. While about 110,000 people are confirmed to have AGS, it requires testing, so true case estimates are as high as nearly half a million Americans.
Sources: CDC, Scientific American, TIME
With tick season already in swing and getting longer each year, prevention matters more than ever—especially for staff working outdoors.
One of the most effective (and underused) defenses: permethrin-treated clothing. It’s odorless, safe for humans, and can kill ticks on contact. You can buy pre-treated gear or spray permethrin on uniforms yourself (just let it dry fully before wearing).
For any outdoor workers, provide EPA-approved insect repellents, remind them to tuck pants into socks when working in tall grass, and to do full-body tick checks when they get home after outdoor work.
And remember—ticks aren’t just a hiking issue anymore. They’re now common in city parks and residential areas, so any team member working outside should be looped in.
Source: Washington Post
Europe’s dealing with a huge Hepatitis A outbreak—over 2,000 people sick, nine deaths, and it’s still spreading. No one’s quite sure why it’s moving so fast or if/when it’ll jump the pond. But with summer travel heating up...