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Committee advances bill to add alpha-gal syndrome to Tennessee reportable conditions
Summary
House Bill 383, sponsored by Representative Brett Butler, would require health care providers to report cases of alpha-gal syndrome to the Tennessee Department of Health. The committee advanced the bill unanimously after hearing testimony from a Tennessee resident with the condition.
House Bill 383, which would add alpha-gal syndrome to the Tennessee Department of Health's list of reportable diseases and conditions, was advanced unanimously by the House Health Full Committee.
Representative Brett Butler, carrying the measure, described alpha-gal as an allergy tied to bites from the lone star tick that can produce severe, potentially life-threatening reactions to a carbohydrate found in many mammal-derived products. Butler said Tennessee is a hotspot for alpha-gal sensitization and that the condition is undercounted because of limited surveillance.
Testimony included a three-minute statement by Jody Zorsch of Morgan County, who said it took her roughly 10 years to be diagnosed and urged lawmakers to support reporting to improve labeling and prevention. "Having this reported will show the prevalence of what it is and hopefully lead to better labeling so people like I can go to the grocery store and buy food and not have to worry about having an anaphylactic reaction to what we eat," Zorsch told the committee.
Representative Butler summarized several points from clinical and research sources: he said some Tennessee areas have "over 33 percent" sensitization rates in certain samples, that up to 9 percent of sensitized individuals have allergic reactions, and cited a study of military recruits suggesting about 10 percent of the population may be sensitized. From available studies, Butler said an estimated 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the population may have alpha-gal syndrome, which he translated to "35 to 70,000 people." He also referenced a call from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for improved surveillance.
Committee member questions included labeling specifics; one member asked whether food labels would need to identify "alpha-gal protein" or simply list mammal products. A testifier and committee members said labeling indicating mammal products and byproducts would be most useful.
The clerk recorded 23 ayes and 0 nays; the bill was advanced to Calendar and Rules. Committee discussion noted potential prevention approaches, including a privately developed product described by a member as being trialed in Memphis to interrupt tick transmission among animals, and the Department of Health's role in surveillance and prevention.
Representative Butler asked for members' support before the vote; the committee advanced the bill 23-0.
