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Alpha-gal syndrome

Supporting Files Public Domain
File Language:
English


Details

  • Corporate Authors:
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.
  • Description:
    What is alpha-gal?

    • Alpha-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) is a sugar molecule found in most mammals.

    • Alpha-gal is not found in fish, reptiles, birds, or people.

    • Alpha-gal can be found in meat (pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, etc.) and products made from mammals (including gelatin, cow’s milk, and milk products).

    What is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)? Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic condition. AGS is also called alpha-gal allergy, red meat allergy, or tick bite meat allergy. AGS is not caused by an infection. AGS symptoms occur after people eat red meat or are exposed to other products containing alpha-gal.

    A CDC report showed that between 2010 and 2022, more than 110,000 suspected cases of AGS were identified. However, cases of AGS are not nationally notifiable to CDC, so it is not known how many cases of AGS exist in the United States. Additional data and research are needed to understand how many people are affected by this condition.

  • Subjects:
  • Document Type:
    Webpage
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha256:6838db1263fc1d61add2642a0f55bbb0cd000d8e94d3fce589e4143513499aba
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 438.01 KB ]

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