By Linda Geist
Due to the nature of their work, livestock farmers are often exposed to ticks, which can cause serious health issues, including alpha-gal syndrome, says Craig Payne, director of Extension Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri.
“Personal tick protection is important, but producers should also consider adopting tick control measures on the farm,” says Payne. “These measures include reducing tick habitat and implementing practices that decrease tick populations on livestock.”
Exposure to ticks increases the risk of developing alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), which in the U.S. is primarily associated with the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). The saliva of the lone star tick contains a sugar molecule called galactose-α-1,3-galactose, or alpha-gal. A person bitten by this tick can become sensitized to the sugar and later have allergic reactions after consuming meat, milk or other mammalian byproducts, all of which contain alpha-gal.
Symptoms, which can range from mild to life-threatening, may include rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and swelling of the lips, throat, tongue or eyelids. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can result. The length of time people remain sensitive to alpha-gal varies greatly. For some, sensitivity may last only a few months. For others, it could be years or even lifelong.
Source : missouri.edu