Advancing policy solutions to improve the lives of people with alpha-gal syndrome
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Alpha-gal syndrome
an allergy and a tick-borne condition
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening allergy to a sugar found in most mammals and products made from mammals. More than 60% of people with AGS have life-threatening, anaphylactic reactions,1,2,3 and a number of fatalities have occurred.4,5,6
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) develops after tick bites.7,155 In the United States, most cases are associated with lone star ticks, which are most common in the southern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic United States.8
Preliminary data suggests that other ticks found in the U.S. may also induce AGS, including black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), Western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacifica), Cayenne ticks (Amblyomma cajennense complex), and invasive Asian longhorned ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis).149,150,151,152, 153,154
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Courtesy of Alpha-gal Information, an Alpha-gal Alliance project
450,000 Americans
Up to 450,000 Americans have alpha-gal syndrome.8
10th most common food allergen
Alpha-gal syndrome is the 10th most common food allergen in the U.S.9
50% have severe reactions to medical products
50% of patients with AGS have had an anaphylactic reaction after using a health product that includes alpha-gal.10
More than 10 deaths
There are more than 10 confirmed deaths due to alpha-gal reactions to medical products alone.5
78% of providers
78% of providers know little or nothing about alpha-gal syndrome.11
Courtesy of Alpha-gal Information, an Alpha-gal Alliance project
2009 known cases
2017 estimated cases
2018 estimated cases
2022 estimated cases
A growing public health crisis
- The CDC has identified alpha-gal syndrome as a growing clinical and public health threat.8
- As lone star tick populations grow and their range expands, the number of alpha-gal syndrome cases grows, too.8,12
- According to the CDC, the number of new suspected cases of AGS is increasing by more than 15,000 a year.8
Tick-induced mammalian meat allergy (MMA) has increased exponentially on all six continents this century.
AGS has rapidly evolved from a medical curiosity to a major emerging public health concern.
Our mission
Our mission is to advance policy solutions that improve the lives of people with alpha-gal syndrome.
How we work
We work in a scientifically-sound, collaborative, and bipartisan manner to serve the diverse community of those affected by alpha-gal syndrome.
Educate
Educate the public, decision-makers, and healthcare providers on key issues related to alpha-gal syndrome.
Collaborate
Collaborate with other organizations, experts, and those affected by AGS to develop and advocate for practical, effective policy solutions.
Mobilize
Mobilize the alpha-gal community to lobby lawmakers.
Advance
Advance the goals of the alpha-gal syndrome community by working with decision-makers.
Our areas of focus
Drugs & medical devices
Food
Education
Research & epidemiology
Prevention
Do you live in a high-prevalence area?
The estimated 450,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. are NOT spread evenly over the whole country.8 They are concentrated in the southern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic United States, particularly parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and Suffolk County, NY. Up to 3% of the population in the hardest-hit areas may be affected.8,13,14,15,18
Does your family live in a high prevalence area? What are your elected representatives doing about the alpha-gal syndrome crisis? Ask them!
Key statistics for high-prevalence areas
#1 tick-borne condition
Alpha-gal syndrome makes up the bulk of the tick-borne disease in states where lone star ticks are common.
Source: state health department statistics &CDC surveillance data
#1 cause of adult-onset allergy
Alpha-gal syndrome is the number one cause of adult-onset allergy in high-prevalence areas.16
Cause of 33% of anaphylactic reactions
In one study of people aged 9 and older in a high-prevalence area, AGS accounted for a third of all cases of anaphylaxis, more than all other food allergies combined.17
Courtesy of Alpha-gal Information, an Alpha-gal Alliance project
Join our movement
Help make a brighter future for people with alpha-gal syndrome. Membership connects you to a network of allies, experts, and fellow alpha-gal advocates and gives you a voice in shaping the policies needed to improve the quality of life for those with AGS.
Donate
100% of donations are used for our advocacy work
Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund is run by volunteers, and our board covers all of our operating expenses. 100% of your support will be used to mobilize the alpha-gal community, educate key decision-makers, and advocate for policy change.
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Learn more about
alpha-gal syndrome
Alpha-gal Information
Learn more about alpha-gal syndrome at Alpha-gal Information (AGI), the most extensive resource on alpha-gal syndrome. AGI is a project of our sister organization, Alpha-gal Alliance.
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Alpha-gal syndrome key statistics
Download the Alpha-gal Syndrome Key Statistics PDF
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