Alpha-gal Syndrome

COMMUNITY

• What is Alpha-gal Syndrome?  Alpha-gal Syndrome known as red meat allergy is an allergic reaction to food, such as red meat and other products made from animals that can result following a tick bite.
• CDC: General Information about Alpha-gal Syndrome

REPORTING

Healthcare providers report cases to the West Virginia Department of Health.

• Alpha-gal Syndrome Reporting form
• CDC: Clinical Resources

Healthcare providers are encouraged to inform and educate patients about tick bites and Alpha-gal Syndrome.

• CDC: Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Alpha-gal Syndrome
• Trainings with CEUs​

For questions call 304-558-5358 

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

• Reporting: Reportable to the State Health Department within 1 week of notification. 
• Alpha-gal Syndrome Surveillance and Investigation Protocol​

RESOURCES

• Arkansas Dept. of Health: Alpha-gal Syndrome Fact Sheet
• Arkansas Dept. of Health: Preventing Tick Bites
• Virginia Dept. of Health: Tick Identification
• New Jersey Dept. of Health: Alpha-Gal Syndrome Information Sheet
• MMWR: Alpha-Gal Syndrome after Ixodes scapularis Tick Bite and Statewide Surveillance, Maine, USA, 2014–2023

TESTING

• CDC: Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Alpha-gal Syndrom

DATA AND SURVEILLANCE

• Geographic Distribution of Suspected Alpha-gal Syndrome Cases in the United States, 2017-2022 
• West Virginia Tick Surveillance Report, 2020