Ticks carrying alpha-gal syndrome found in RI

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Lone star ticks were in this area in the 1700s, but then they disappeared. Well, now they're coming back and bringing a unique disease with them. Leah Crowley joins us now with those details. Leah?

[00:00:12]Alpha-gal syndrome is a disease that's carried by lone star ticks and can make you deathly allergic to meat and dairy.

[00:00:19]Those ticks are spreading and they've now been found right here in Colt State Park in Bristol. So, I think it was like around like here ish area.

[00:00:28]>> here? Eliana Russell and her mom Andrea are showing me the spot where they sat down to have a picnic in Colt State Park on Sunday.

[00:00:36]I was opening the bag to get like my calzone. Like I saw a tick in there.

[00:00:41]>> Andrea quickly scooped up the tick in a napkin and snapped this picture. I knew it was a lone star tick based on what I've read about them.

[00:00:49]And I figured, "Hey, we need to make people aware that they're in Rhode Island." Turns out they've been in Rhode Island for years and their population is growing. It went from like found in 11 different zip codes to 27 different zip codes in a 3-year period. Dr. Thomas Mather tracks tick populations in Rhode Island. According to him, if you see deer, you're in tick habitat. If you live in a neighborhood and deer come into your neighborhood, they could be dropping off the ticks. To date, the Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed 79 cases of Alpha-gal syndrome in the state. Of those cases, 31 were identified in 2025, but it's unclear if these numbers show an actual increase.

[00:01:35]In an email to 12 News, Department of Health spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said in part, "We may have had more cases in prior years and reporting is still voluntary at this point. More data are needed before we can say anything about trends." Scientists still have a lot of questions. Not everyone who is bit by a lone star tick develops an allergy and the severity of allergies can vary, too. I think the biggest question is what's the risk and that's something that we are trying to find funds to to answer.

[00:02:06]If you're in tick habitat, you can try and prevent bites by making sure you stick to a trail and tucking your clothes in. So, tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants. We have more tips on how to prevent bites and what you should do if you do find a tick right now on wpri.com.

[00:02:23]In Bristol, I'm Lea Crowley 12 News.