A fast spreading tick species in the US named Lone Star has a parasite that causes severe allergic symptoms including the inability to eat red meat . Scientists are trying to determine the cause of such peculiar symptoms , although it is believed the red meat allergy is traceable to a protein - linked sugar called alpha - gal . The tick season is just starting in the US with some ecologists warning that 2017 will be one of the worst years for the parasites . Also , a surge in the white - footed mice population , which often carries Lyme disease , is pushing ticks into areas of likely contact with humans .
A fast spreading tick species in the US named Lone Star has a bite that carries severe allergic symptoms including the inability to eat red meat. Immunologists are struggling to determine the cause of such peculiar symptoms, although it is believed the red meat allergy is traceable to a protein-linked sugar called alpha-gal. The tick season is just starting in the US with disease ecologists warning that 2017 will be one of the worst years for the parasites. Also, a surge in the white-footed mice population, which often carry Lyme disease, is carrying ticks into areas of likely contact with humans.