KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - University of Virginia Health says the death of a man in New Jersey is the first to be linked to a meat allergy caused by a tick bite.

The allergy is known as Alpha-gal syndrome and is caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick. Alpha-gal is a sugar found in mammalian meat.

UVA Health said a 47-year-old man in New Jersey who died last year, first experienced a a severe reaction to a steak after spending a day outdoors. He became severely ill, but recovered. Then, two weeks later, he died after eating a hamburger.

According to UVA Health , people who become sensitized to the sugar can have allergic symptoms such as rash, nausea and vomiting after eating beef, pork or lamb.

“The important information for the public is: First, that severe abdominal pain occurring

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