Tick That Spreads Meat Allergy Expands In CT: Here's Where

Tick activity in Connecticut has reached its highest level in years, according to researchers, who are also tracking the spread of invasive tick species across the state.

Researchers with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station say lone star ticks, which have been linked to Alpha-gal syndrome, or a red meat allergy, are becoming more common in parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties.

"It is substantially higher than in 2025 and has surpassed the numbers from 2017, which were the highest in recent history for this period," said Dr. Goudarz Molaei, director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Passive Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance Program.

Between Jan. 1 and June 18, the experiment station received 3,920 human-biting ticks submitted by Connecticut residents, according to Molaei.

Of the 2,592 blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, tested:

• 928 (35.8%) tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
• 171 (6.6%) tested positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes anaplasmosis, a bacterial illness that can lead to fever, headaches and muscle aches.
• 329 (12.7%) tested positive for Babesia microti, a parasite that causes babesiosis, which infects red blood cells and can be severe in older adults and immunocompromised people.
• 54 (2.1%) tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi, which causes a tick-borne illness marked by fever, chills, fatigue and headaches.
• 6 (0.2%) tested positive for Powassan virus, a rare but potentially serious disease that can cause brain inflammation and neurological complications

While Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness in Connecticut, researchers found ticks carrying several other pathogens that can cause serious disease in humans.

Invasive Tick Species Are On The Rise

Invasive tick populations like lone star and longhorned ticks have also been increasing, particularly in coastal areas of Fairfield, New Haven and New London counties.

Researchers have identified notable concentrations in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, Derby and Waterford. Invasive ticks have only recently been detected in New London County, suggesting their range continues to expand across Connecticut.

"We are concerned about both species, especially lone star ticks because of their known roles in pathogen transmission and association with Alpha-gal syndrome," Molaei said.

Alpha-gal syndrome causes a red meat allergy, triggering an immune system reaction to a sugar molecule called alpha-gal.

The allergy can be life-threatening, causing allergic reactions when people consume red meat, dairy products and some medicines and non-food products.

Symptoms can range from hives and gastrointestinal distress to severe, potentially life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis.

The CDC estimates as many as 450,000 Americans could have Alpha-gal syndrome.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Tick Bites

While ticks are increasingly present in Connecticut, there are several ways residents can protect themselves.

When spending time outdoors, especially in wooded areas, experts advise:

• Walking in the center of trails and avoiding tall vegetation and leaf litter
• Wearing light colored clothing
• Tucking pants into socks
• Using insect repellents containing DEET
• Treating clothing with permethrin
• Performing regular tick checks
• Keeping pets protected from ticks