A man joined his wife and children for a camping trip in summer 2024. The airline pilot and his family ate a late dinner at 10 p.m. They enjoyed beef steaks, even though the family usually consumed chicken. The night seemed normal until early morning.
The man woke at 2 a.m. with sudden and severe stomach pain. He writhed in bed while vomiting and having diarrhea. A few hours later, he felt better and slept through the night. He and his wife considered seeking medical advice but did not understand what happened.
Two weeks later, the man was back home in New Jersey. He and his wife attended a barbecue that afternoon. The man ate a hamburger at 3 p.m. and later mowed the lawn with no issues. His symptoms began at 7:20 p.m., and by 7:37 p.m., his son had called emergency services, but the man died three hours later.
His autopsy was inconclusive, but his wife sought definitive answers. She contacted her friend, Dr. Aaron McFeely, who reviewed the report and contacted Virginia researchers. Blood tests confirmed that the man had alpha-gal syndrome from a lone star tick bite, marking the first confirmed fatal transmission of this allergy. Researchers say this case shows why broader awareness of alpha-gal risks is urgently needed.
