ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ticks are bad enough after being outdoors, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. A state epidemiologist, Elizabeth Schiffman, says a new strain, the Lone Star tick, is moving north through Iowa into Minnesota. A bite releases a toxin that causes Alpha Gal Syndrome — an allergy to lamb, pork and beef and organ meat and mammal products. In short, the human body reacts to red meat as if it were protein from a tick bite. The infection can be temporary or last a lifetime, Schiffman said. This news comes as he tick season is beginning.
Tick-borne disease risk. Dark orange counties are high risk. Not only for Lone Star ticks but all kinds. Image: Minnesota Health Department.