Saint John's Lutheran Church will host a dinner to bring awareness to alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as “tick bite disease”, Wednesday. 

It probably comes as no surprise that ticks can be found just about anywhere in the United States and for many in the midwest, they are part of daily life. Ticks thrive in environments with a lot of humidity, wooded areas, grasslands, or anywhere with a lot of brush making the Northeastern, Western and Southern regions ideal for many species.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), ticks are responsible for more human disease than any other insect, but that doesn’t mean all ticks carry disease. The exact number of tick species in the world, let alone the US, is unknown.  A medical entomology publication by Purdue University estimates there are roughly 899 species of ticks in the world, about 90 of which can be found in the US. 

Of those 90 estimated species, the CDC cites eight types of ticks that are known to transmit disease to humans in the contiguous United States. 

The Lone star tick (amblyomma americanum) is responsible for the transmission of AGS and is considered to be a “very aggressive tick that bites humans” by the CDC. You can identify the female Lone star tick by the signature white dot on her back.

Those affected by AGS are impacted by an allergy to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) which is a sugar molecule found primarily in mammal meat and their products. Even the smallest amount of contamination such as a shared grill containing red meat is enough to trigger a reaction.

Symptoms of this particular “tick bite disease” can start anywhere from two to six hours after exposure. While some symptoms such as hives may be mild, anaphylaxis could be life-threatening.

The problem with AGS and the reason organizations such as the Saint John’s Lutheran Church want to bring awareness to the disease is because it is not well known. Missouri DHSS put out a health advisory in March, 2024 regarding AGS. It states that, “A recent national survey of mostly primary care physicians in the U.S. found 78% of providers have little to no knowledge of AGS.”

“We are a state of hunters and outdoorsmen. Ticks are everywhere.” says Mark Rucker of Saint John’s Lutheran Church.

Rucker invites anyone who may be affected by AGS or those who want to learn more about the disease to the awareness dinner at Saint John’s Lutheran Church from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 18.

The dinner will be AGS friendly offering up chicken quarters “cattle-drive style” using an above-ground pit free from any mammalian products; desserts provided will be baked without lard. All donations made at the awareness dinner will go to the church’s fellowship committee.