The tick population has been increasing, becoming more populated in places like Washington D.C. While ticks bring many dangers, a common one being Lyme disease, a severe allergy called Alpha-gal syndrome has recently come to light after a recent death.

The lone star tick is the carrier of this illness, and one bite from this tick can cause alpha-gal, which is a serious illness that causes an allergic reaction to mammalian products. People with alpha-gal syndrome are forced to remove red meat completely from their diet, or risk anaphylaxis.

Researchers think that as many as 450,000 people in the U.S. may be affected. Professor John Lill is a biology professor at the George Washington University as well as a field biologist, who is living with alpha-gal syndrome. Sharon Forsyth is also living with alpha-gal, and has since created resources and awareness for this allergy. Caroline Tone, a student and lab assistant at GW, has a lab partner contract alpha-gal.

This serious health condition is affecting many people, and it deserves awareness.