Warner Introduces Bills to Fight Against Tick-Borne Diseases, Protect Americans With Alpha-Gal Syndrome

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced two bills to strengthen the federal response to tick-borne diseases and better protect Americans living with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). “Cases of alpha-gal syndrome are rapidly increasing in Virginia and across the country, and nearly everyone I meet has or knows someone whose life has been affected by this disease. We must do more to understand, prevent, and treat AGS and other tick-borne diseases,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce these two bills to strengthen our efforts to combat tick-borne diseases by expanding the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, supporting research through targeted grants, and giving those living with AGS greater support by adding the condition to the major food allergen list.” AGS is an allergic condition primarily associated with the bite of the lone star tick. Individuals with AGS develop a potentially life-threatening allergy to alpha-gal, a carbohydrate found in meat from mammals, including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and rabbit, as well as certain products derived from mammals, including gelatin, dairy products, and some pharmaceuticals. The prevalence of AGS in the United States has increased in recent years with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University finding a 100-fold increase in positive test results for alpha-gal antibodies between 2013 and 2024. AGS is the 10 th most common food allergen in the country. The Strengthening Tick-borne disease Opposition and Prevention Through Investment in Collaboration, Knowledge, and Surveillance (STOP TICKS) Act would boost efforts to prevent and respond to AGS and other tick-borne diseases by reauthorizing and expanding the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) and increasing funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that support states and researchers working to combat vector-borne diseases. The Alpha-Gal Allergen Inclusion Act would add alpha-gal to the federal list of major food allergens, requiring clear and specific labeling on all U.S. packaged food products and helping Americans with AGS more easily identify products that could trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02) and endorsed by the Alpha-gal Alliance, Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund, Alpha-gal Foundation, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, FARE, Tick-Borne Conditions United, Center for Lyme Action, Project Lyme, the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, LymeTV, FAACT, the Asthma and Allergy Network, the International FPIES Association, Alpha-gal Encouragers, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American, AllergyStrong, FOODiversity, Food Equality Initiative, The Foundation of AAIR, LivLyme, Lymedisease.org, and the Bay Area Lyme Foundation. “We are very grateful to Senator Warner for his leadership in encouraging and leading measures to further both education and science into the relationship between tick bites and human allergic reactions. We appreciate his responsiveness to this serious, potentially life-threatening allergy,” stated UVA School of Medicine’s Thomas Platts-Mills, FRS, the Oscar Swineford, Jr. Professor of Medicine and the Jeffrey M. Wilson, MD, PhD., Associate Professor of Medicine, in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology. “Every day, we hear from Virginians with alpha-gal syndrome who struggle to feed themselves and their families safely. Reading a label should not require guesswork or a call to the manufacturer. Clear allergen labeling would give people with AGS the confidence to shop, cook, and share meals without fear. The Alpha-gal Foundation is grateful to Senator Warner for standing with the patients and families in our community,” said Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols, Co-founders Alpha-gal Foundation. “The Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act would add alpha-gal to the list of major food allergens disclosed on food labels, allowing people with alpha-gal syndrome to identify safe food options. People with AGS must avoid foods that contain mammalian ingredients, but current labeling law does not require those ingredients to be clearly disclosed. Alpha-gal syndrome is a life-altering and sometimes fatal allergy, which the CDC has identified as a ‘growing threat to public health.’ Cases are rising rapidly in the most affected areas, including in Virginia. The Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund thanks Senator Warner for his leadership and looks forward to working with him to pass this urgently needed legislation,” said Sharon Forsyth, Executive Director, Alpha-gal Alliance Action Fund. “Tick-borne diseases, including alpha-gal syndrome, are a growing public health concern, and we welcome a coordinated federal response,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). “Sen. Warner’s legislation aligns with FARE’s priorities for increased funding, more research, and better surveillance capabilities to fully understand the true impact of alpha-gal syndrome and improve outcomes for patients seeking diagnosis and care.” ###