A 16-year-old Australian boy has become the first known person to die from a meat allergy triggered by a tick bite, a coroner has found. Jeremy Webb died in June 2022 on the Central Coast of New South Wales, with the initial autopsy attributing his death to asthma. However, after his family advocated for further investigation, the coroner concluded that anaphylaxis caused by a mammalian meat allergy was the underlying cause.
Jeremy’s mother, Myfanwy Webb, said her son was “always getting ticks” due to his love of the outdoors, including camping and mountain bike riding. The family was aware of the link between tick bites and meat allergies, but she did not realise the condition could cause anaphylaxis. “I thought it was more like a food intolerance,” she said.
The coroner’s report stated: “Without the anaphylaxis caused by the allergy Jeremy’s asthma would not have caused his death.” The family hopes that raising awareness will prevent future tragedies. “No one would know about this fatal risk out there of the tick,” Webb said.
Mammalian meat allergy, also known as alpha-gal syndrome, is triggered by a sugar molecule transmitted through tick bites. Symptoms can include hives, stomach cramps, and severe allergic reactions hours after consuming red meat or products like gelatine. Avoiding ticks and safely removing them is crucial for prevention.
