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 . A boom in the population of white-footed mice, which often carry Lyme disease, will increase the number of bites and cases in regions of the country where the rodents carry ticks into areas of likely contact with humans. 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 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 .