Jeremy Webb died in June 2022 after consuming a beef sausage during a camping trip, with a coroner ruling in February that tick-induced mammalian meat allergy (MMA), also known as alpha-gal syndrome, triggered fatal anaphylaxis. His death represents the first documented fatality from the condition globally. Jeremy had experienced symptoms including nausea after eating meat since around age 10, and his parents later recalled a hospitalisation five years prior following a restaurant meal, when doctors suspected a meat allergy but attributed the episode to his existing asthma instead.
MMA is caused by tick bites, with the eastern paralysis tick responsible for cases in Australia. Research indicates that after two tick bites, 50% of people develop antibodies to alpha-gal, a sugar molecule in tick saliva, and subsequently face a 15 to 20% chance of developing a meat allergy. The condition was first identified by Prof Sheryl van Nunen approximately 20 years ago at her Sydney allergy clinic. Australia’s east coast, particularly areas north of Sydney, constitutes one of two global hotspots for MMA, with the other located in the United States. Cases have now been documented on all six continents where ticks are present. Some areas in Australia report more than 700 sufferers per 100,000 people.
Diagnosis remains challenging because symptoms often manifest hours after eating, can vary unpredictably, and may be confused with asthma. Additional factors including meat type, cooking method, alcohol consumption, exercise, and sleep deprivation can influence symptom severity. Hypersensitive individuals may react to mammalian-derived products in cosmetics, laundry products, and food packaging, as well as barbecue fumes or contact with pets. Between 2020 and 2023, cases increased by 22% annually, with researchers estimating more than 5,000 suspected cases in Australia, though actual figures likely exceed this.
Van Nunen expresses significant concern about the estimated 85% of people carrying antibodies who remain unaware they possess the allergy. This population faces potential anaphylaxis from medical treatments containing animal-derived products, including certain vaccines and drugs. At least two documented deaths resulted from medical interventions, with additional fatalities suspected. Van Nunen notes that 94.8% of food allergy anaphylaxis deaths occur due to respiratory compromise triggered by asthma, emphasizing the critical nature of rapid intervention.
Jeremy’s mother has since collaborated with medical institutions to improve training and awareness regarding MMA, and is developing an educational paper with van Nunen scheduled for presentation later this year.
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